MADISON — The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) on March 16 released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for Wisconsin metropolitan areas, major cities and counties in Wisconsin for January 2022.

In brief, the nonseasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:

●  Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary January 2022 unemployment rates decreased in all 12 of Wisconsin’s metro areas over the year and increased in all 12 metro areas over the month.

●  Municipalities: Preliminary January 2022 unemployment rates declined in all of Wisconsin’s 35 largest cities over the year and increased in all 35 cities over the month.

●  Counties: Preliminary January 2022 unemployment rates declined in all 72 Wisconsin counties over the year and increased in all 72 counties over the month.

The data included in the press release can be accessed at WisConomy.com.

Locally, Green County saw its unemployment rate increase from 1.9% in December 2021 to 2.9% in January 2022. The overall number is still down from the 4.0% mark in Jan. 2021.

Lafayette County also saw its unemployment rate increase by a full percentage point to 2.4%. In Jan. 2021, the rate was another full percentage point higher at 3.4%.

Dane County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state in January 2022 at 2.2%, up from 1.6% the previous month.