MONROE - Unemployment rates in Green and Lafayette counties rose slightly between November and December, as it did in all but two Wisconsin counties, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary estimates of unemployment and employment statistics, released Wednesday by the Department of Workforce Development.
Unemployment in Green County rose to 5.6 percent in December compared to 5.3 percent in November. Lafayette County unemployment increased from 4.8 percent in November to 4.9 percent in December. Rates in both counties remained below December 2011 rates of 5.8 percent in Green and 5 percent in Lafayette.
Dane County rose from 4.2 percent in November to 4.4 percent in December, matching its rate in December 2011. Rock County rose last month to 8 percent, up from 7.7 percent in November, but stayed below its rate of 8.3 percent a year ago.
Thirty-four counties had rate decreases and 13 had no change, compared to December 2011.
Iowa County was one of the 25 counties that had a rate increase year over year. Iowa unemployment rose to 5.7 percent, up from 5 percent in November and above its December 2011 rate of 5.6 percent.
Monthly rates around the state ranged from 4.4 percent in Dane to 12.7 percent in Menominee. The decreases came in Menominee with a 1.7 percentage point decrease, and Kenosha, 0.2 percent decrease.
Preliminary unemployment rates increased in all 12 metropolitan statistical areas between November and December, but either declined or remained unchanged in 10 metro areas year over year. The December 2012 rates ranged from 4.6 percent in metro Madison, up two-tenths of a point, to 8.3 percent in metro Racine, up one-half point, compared to last month.
Janesville metro had the second highest unemployment rate last month among metro areas, 8 percent, up three-tenths percentage points. The metro area remained below its December 2011 rate of 8.3 percent. Madison metro stayed below its December rate as well, by just one-tenth percentage point.
Unemployment rates in the cities of Madison and Janesville echoed their county and metro area movements. The City of Janesville unemployment, at 8.6 percent, is up three-tenths from November, and down two-tenths from last December. In Madison, unemployment was at 4.2 percent - one-tenth higher than November - but it held steady compared to December 2011.
Of 32 municipalities with at least 25,000 residents, 25 had rate increases between November and December. Year over year, 15 had an increase. Rates ranged from 3.1 percent in Caledonia to 11.9 percent in Racine.
County, metro and city rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Without seasonal adjustment Wisconsin's unemployment rate for December was 6.5 percent, up from 6.2 percent in November and down from 6.6 percent in December 2011.
Without seasonal adjustment, the U.S. rate was 7.6 percent, up from 7.4 percent in November and down from 8.3 percent in December 2011.
Unemployment in Green County rose to 5.6 percent in December compared to 5.3 percent in November. Lafayette County unemployment increased from 4.8 percent in November to 4.9 percent in December. Rates in both counties remained below December 2011 rates of 5.8 percent in Green and 5 percent in Lafayette.
Dane County rose from 4.2 percent in November to 4.4 percent in December, matching its rate in December 2011. Rock County rose last month to 8 percent, up from 7.7 percent in November, but stayed below its rate of 8.3 percent a year ago.
Thirty-four counties had rate decreases and 13 had no change, compared to December 2011.
Iowa County was one of the 25 counties that had a rate increase year over year. Iowa unemployment rose to 5.7 percent, up from 5 percent in November and above its December 2011 rate of 5.6 percent.
Monthly rates around the state ranged from 4.4 percent in Dane to 12.7 percent in Menominee. The decreases came in Menominee with a 1.7 percentage point decrease, and Kenosha, 0.2 percent decrease.
Preliminary unemployment rates increased in all 12 metropolitan statistical areas between November and December, but either declined or remained unchanged in 10 metro areas year over year. The December 2012 rates ranged from 4.6 percent in metro Madison, up two-tenths of a point, to 8.3 percent in metro Racine, up one-half point, compared to last month.
Janesville metro had the second highest unemployment rate last month among metro areas, 8 percent, up three-tenths percentage points. The metro area remained below its December 2011 rate of 8.3 percent. Madison metro stayed below its December rate as well, by just one-tenth percentage point.
Unemployment rates in the cities of Madison and Janesville echoed their county and metro area movements. The City of Janesville unemployment, at 8.6 percent, is up three-tenths from November, and down two-tenths from last December. In Madison, unemployment was at 4.2 percent - one-tenth higher than November - but it held steady compared to December 2011.
Of 32 municipalities with at least 25,000 residents, 25 had rate increases between November and December. Year over year, 15 had an increase. Rates ranged from 3.1 percent in Caledonia to 11.9 percent in Racine.
County, metro and city rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Without seasonal adjustment Wisconsin's unemployment rate for December was 6.5 percent, up from 6.2 percent in November and down from 6.6 percent in December 2011.
Without seasonal adjustment, the U.S. rate was 7.6 percent, up from 7.4 percent in November and down from 8.3 percent in December 2011.