While unemployment rates have hit historic lows in Wisconsin, the highest rates in the state belong to some Northwoods counties.
The recent Department of Workforce Development numbers find Wisconsin's statewide unemployment rate reached an all-time low of 2.9 percent in February.
Iron county has the state's highest rate at 7.1 percent. Forest county's rate is 5.4 percent, the state's seventh highest, with Vilas next at 5.3 percent. Oneida is at 4.9 percent, Langlade at 4.7 percent, Price at 4.2 and Lincoln at 3.7 percent.
State economist Mitchell Rupp in Wausau says the rates are lower here than a year ago...
"...all 72 counties had a decrease in their unemployment rates from January of 2017 to January of 2018.... Fifty-eight of Wisconsin's 72 counties experienced their lowest February unemployment rate on record. "
The data also showed that Wisconsin added 13,000 manufacturing jobs in January and February of this year, putting Wisconsin in the top five states.
Rupp says a website is available for job seekers and employers...
"....I suggest everyone such as job seekers or employers to visit our new website called Wisconomy.com It is basically your source for everything to do with labor market information and data for the state of Wisconsin...."
Initial unemployment claims ended 2017 at their lowest level in the last 30 years.
