The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.0% in January to 3.9% in February. Wyoming’s unemployment rate is down slightly from its February 2018 level of 4.0%, but is slightly higher than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.8%.
From January to February, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. The largest decreases occurred in Lincoln County, where the unemployment rate fell from 4.7% to 3.5%; Hot Springs County, where the unemployment rate fell from 4.7% to 3.5%; and Johnson County, where the unemployment rate fell from 5.3% to 4.3%.
Almost all county unemployment rates fell from February 2018 to February 2019, suggesting a tightening in the state’s labor market. The largest decreases were seen in Platte County (down from 4.8% to 3.4%), Converse County (down from 4.1% to 2.9%), Fremont County (down from 6.2% to 5.1%), and Big Horn County (down from 5.8% to 4.7%). Goshen County’s unemployment rate rose modestly from 3.1% in February 2018 to 3.4% in February 2019.
Park County posted the highest unemployment rate in the state at 5.2% in February. It was followed by Fremont County at 5.1% and Big Horn County at 4.7%. The lowest rates were found in Teton County at 2.2%, Niobrara County at 2.3%, and Albany County at 2.7%
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) increased from 276,400 in February 2018 to 281,800 in February 2019, a gain of 5,400 jobs (2.0%).
Fremont County employment rose from 17,628 jobs in January to 17,799 jobs in February. The number of people on unemployment was reduced from 1,101 to 965 in Fremont County.
Research & Planning has scheduled the March employment news release for April 23, 2019. The full study can be found here.