The number of people continuing to be out of work in the Northwoods is lower than one year ago.
Numbers released this week by the Department of Workforce Development shows Iron county with the state's second highest rate at 7.8 percent, but that is down just under one point from a year ago.
Other Northwoods counties all showed at least a half-point lower than one year ago, and in Oneida county's case, 1 percent lower at 5.6 percent and Vilas down 1.2 percent from 7.4 last year. Dane county has the state's lowest rate at 2.9 percent, Bayfield the highest at 8 percent.
Preliminary January rates decreased or stayed the same in 71 of 72 counties when compared to last January's rates. The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in January, down from 4.3 percent in January. The national rate is 4.8 percent.
Mitchell Rupp is an economist with the Department of Workforce Development in Wausau. He says statewide, there are many jobs open...
"....I will mention the (website) Job Center of Wisconsin has 97,600 jobs currently posted. It's a good site for job seekers and employers...."
Wisconsin's total employment increased by 20,500 over the year.
