MONROE — The state’s unemployment picture continues to brighten, despite national efforts to raise interest rates and cool what has been an inflationary economy. In southcentral and southwestern Wisconsin, the rates are continuing to be among the lowest in the state.

Lafayette County’s rate dropped slightly to 2.2% from 2.5% in June; and down from 2.6% year over year. And that makes Lafayette County the owner of lowest unemployment rate in Wisconsin.

In Green County, the rate dropped from 2.8% in June to 2.6% in July. Last year in July, the rate stood at 2.6%. That’s good enough for Green County to have the sixth lowest rate in the state.

Locally, the area has plenty of job openings in various industries like dairy, cheesemaking and warehouse operations but suffers from a lack of affordable housing to attract and retain workers for those jobs, local officials have said.

Preliminary July 2023 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same 68 of 72 Wisconsin counties over the month and decreased or stayed the same in 48 of 72 Wisconsin counties over the year.

Statewide, the Department of Workforce Development recently released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job totals for the month of July 2023, which showed Wisconsin’s total nonfarm jobs hit a new high of 3,007,200. That is 39,500 more jobs than a year ago and an increase of 4,700 over the previous month, according to the report.

Preliminary employment estimates for July 2023 showed Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6%. The labor force grew by 11,200 and employment increased 6,800 over the month of July. The state’s total labor force participation rate increased to 65.5%.

“Wisconsin’s labor force increased by 11,200 workers over the month, as more people entered or returned to the workforce. That’s one reason why our labor force participation is higher than the nation’s rate,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “Wisconsin workers are motivated and encouraged by the opportunities that are available, and the Department of Workforce Development remains committed to help all workers gain the skills and supports necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”

Nationwide for the month of July, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5%, 0.9 percentage points above Wisconsin’s rate, and the national labor force participation rate of 62.6% was 2.9 percentage points below the state rate.

Nationwide for the month of July, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5%, 0.9 percentage points above Wisconsin’s rate, and the national labor force participation rate of 62.6% was 2.9 percentage points below the state rate.

●  Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin’s unemployment rate edged up to 2.6% in July after hitting a record low of 2.4% in April and May. The number of unemployed people increased 4,300 over the month and decreased 12,500 over the year to 81,000. The labor force gained 11,200 workers over the month for a total labor force of 3,124,700. The number of Wisconsinites employed increased 6,800 in July for a total of 3,043,600 employed.

●  Place of Work Data: Total nonfarm jobs increased 4,700 in July to a new high of 3,007,200, an annual increase of 39,500. Private sector jobs increased by 6,400 over the month and 34,700 over the year. Healthcare and social assistance jobs grew 7,500 over the month and 12,500 over the year.