MONROE — Green County’s unemployment rate moved slightly higher for December, but the county is still ranked third in the state for the lowest rate, while Lafayette County continues its streak as having the lowest jobless rate in Wisconsin.
In Green County, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 2% from November to December; and up slightly from 1.8% a year ago. The only two counties that ranked higher than Green were Dane and Lafayette.
“It’s great news for all Monroe and Green County employers and citizens that we are (the third lowest in the state), and a testament to the people who live here,” said Jordan Nordby, director of Main Street Monroe, commenting on the area’s longtime positive unemployment outlook. “Obviously, places like the clinic and Colony are valuable mainstays and the largest in terms of people they employ, but there is also a diverse mix of small businesses that help keep the community’s economy churning and attractive.”
In state-leading Lafayette County, the rate ticked up to 1.9% in December, from November’s 1.8%; and still down from last year’s 2.0% rate.
The Department of Workforce Development recently released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job totals for December, which showed Wisconsin’s total nonfarm jobs hit a record high of 3,026,500 during the month. This total is 42,700 more jobs than a year ago and an increase of 4,800 over the previous month.
Preliminary employment estimates for December 2023 showed Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.3%. The labor force increased by 2,200 workers over the month, and employment also increased by 1,700 over the month. The state’s total labor force participation rate remained at 65.9% while the national labor force participation rate fell to 62.5% in December.
Rock County’s unemployment rate charted at 3% in the most recent report, down slightly month to month but up from last year’s 2.5% percent rate at this time.
Other highlights of the report in key categories:
● Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary December 2023 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in nine out of 12 Wisconsin metro areas over the month; the rates increased in the remaining three areas. Preliminary December unemployment rates increased in all 12 areas over the year.
● Municipalities: Preliminary December 2023 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 32 of Wisconsin’s 35 largest cities over the month. Over the year, all 35 cities had unemployment rates increase.
● Counties: Preliminary December 2023 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 26 of 72 Wisconsin counties over the month. Over the year, 67 of 72 Wisconsin counties had unemployment rates increase.