MONROE - Green and Lafayette counties' unemployment rates dropped for a second consecutive month in September, according to statistics released Wednesday by the state Department of Workforce Development.
Green County's unemployment rate shrank to 7.8 percent in September, from 8.6 percent in August, but still is higher than the 4 percent rate at the same time last year.
Lafayette County's rate improved to 6 percent in September, down from 6.8 percent in August. The county's rate was 3.4 percent for the same period in 2008.
Both counties' rates also decreased from July to August. Green County's unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.6 percent in August. Lafayette County's rate dropped from 7.5 percent in July to 6.8 percent in August.
Beloit and Racine continue to have the highest unemployment of any Wisconsin cities, but the rates are improving.
The Department of Workforce Development said Beloit's unemployment rate was the highest at 16 percent for September. But that's better than the 17.5 percent rate in August.
Racine was second highest at 14.5 percent for September, down from 16.2 percent in August.
Both were far higher than the state rate for September of 7.7 percent.
Department Secretary Roberta Gassman said the local unemployment rates show improvement statewide, but challenges remain. She said rates fell in all metro areas and in all but one county. Taylor County's rate was unchanged.
- The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Green County's unemployment rate shrank to 7.8 percent in September, from 8.6 percent in August, but still is higher than the 4 percent rate at the same time last year.
Lafayette County's rate improved to 6 percent in September, down from 6.8 percent in August. The county's rate was 3.4 percent for the same period in 2008.
Both counties' rates also decreased from July to August. Green County's unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.6 percent in August. Lafayette County's rate dropped from 7.5 percent in July to 6.8 percent in August.
Beloit and Racine continue to have the highest unemployment of any Wisconsin cities, but the rates are improving.
The Department of Workforce Development said Beloit's unemployment rate was the highest at 16 percent for September. But that's better than the 17.5 percent rate in August.
Racine was second highest at 14.5 percent for September, down from 16.2 percent in August.
Both were far higher than the state rate for September of 7.7 percent.
Department Secretary Roberta Gassman said the local unemployment rates show improvement statewide, but challenges remain. She said rates fell in all metro areas and in all but one county. Taylor County's rate was unchanged.
- The Associated Press contributed to this article.