MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development last week released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment and unemployment statistics for metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for October 2024.

Locally, Lafayette County led the state yet again in unemployment rate at 1.7%, down one-tenth of a percent from Sept. 2024 and two-tenths from Oct. 2023.

Green and Door counties were second at 1.9% for October, staying steady from the previous month. Monroe was at 2.2% in Oct. 2023.

In brief, the nonseasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:

●  Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary October 2024 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 10 metropolitan areas over the month; rates decreased in all 12 areas over the year.

●  Municipalities: Preliminary October 2024 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 23 of Wisconsin’s 35 largest cities over the month; rates decreased or stayed the same in 33 cities over the year.

●  Counties: Preliminary October 2024 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 54 counties over the month; rates decreased in 70 counties over the year. In addition, six counties, Door (1.9%), Forest (2.9%), Langlade (2.6%), Oconto (2.3%), Pepin (2.0%), and Rock (2.5%), achieved or matched all-time low unemployment rates.

Menominee had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 3.9%, which is down from 5.0% from a year ago.

— Adam Krebs