MADISON — The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) 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 December 2021.

Locally, Green County unemployment grew slightly from 1.4% in November 2021 to 1.6% in December, while Lafayette County increased from 1.2% to 1.3% over the same time frame. In December 2020, Green County was at 3.1%, while Lafayette County was at 2.7%.

Lafayette County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, 1/10th of a point ahead of Calumet and Dane counties. Only two counties have a rate above 4% in December 2021 — Iron (4.1) and Menominee (4.3).

In brief, the non-seasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:

●  Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary December 2021 unemployment rates decreased in all 12 of Wisconsin’s metro areas over the year. Over the month, six metro areas’ unemployment rates remained the same while six metro areas’ unemployment rates increased.

●  Municipalities: Preliminary December 2021 unemployment rates declined in all of Wisconsin’s 34 largest cities over the year. Over the month, unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 26 of 34 cities and increased in the remaining eight cities.

●  Counties: Preliminary December 2021 unemployment rates declined in all 72 Wisconsin counties over the year. Rates stayed the same in 12 Wisconsin counties while increasing in the remaining 60 counties over the month.