Sweetwater County Records Third Highest Unemployment Rate in Wyoming in January

Sweetwater County Records Third Highest Unemployment Rate in Wyoming in January

Downtown Rock Springs, SweetwaterNOW photo

WYOMING — The Research and Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported on Monday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in December 2020 to 5.1 percent in January 2021. Wyoming’s January unemployment rate of 5.1 percent was much lower than the U.S. rate of 6.3 percent.

Most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and increased from December to January. Unemployment rates often rise in January as seasonal job losses are seen in many sectors, including construction, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, leisure and hospitality, and government. The largest jobless rate increases were seen in Sublette (up from 6.7 percent to 8.3 percent), Big Horn (up from 4.7 percent to 6.2 percent), Niobrara (up from 3.9 percent to 5.2 percent), and Hot Springs (up from 4.4 percent to 5.6 percent) counties.

From January 2020 to January 2021, unemployment rates rose in nearly every county. The largest increases were seen in areas of the state dominated by the energy sector. Converse County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.5 percent to 6.7 percent, Natrona County’s rate rose from 5.2 percent to 8.2 percent, Campbell County’s rate rose from 4.4 percent to 7 percent, and Sweetwater County’s rate rose from 6.2 percent to 7.7 percent. In contrast to those increases, Big Horn County’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year earlier at 6.2 percent.

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The lowest unemployment rates in Wyoming were found in Weston County at 3.8 percent, Crook County at 4 percent, and Teton County at 4.2 percent. Sublette County reported the highest unemployment rate at 8.3 percent. It was followed by Natrona County at 8.2 percent, Sweetwater County at 7.7 percent, Campbell County at 7 percent, and Converse County at 6.7 percent.

Research and Planning has scheduled the February unemployment news release for March 29, 2021.

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Research and Planning