SWEETWATER COUNTY — The Research and Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported that Sweetwater County’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.0 in May to 6.8 percent in April.

Despite the drop, Sweetwater County remained among one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. Natrona County had the highest unemployment rate in April at 7.4 percent, followed by Sublette County at 7.1 percent, Teton County at 7.0 percent, and Sweetwater County at 6.8 percent. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Weston County at 3.9 percent and Crook and Albany counties, each at 4.0 percent.

Overall, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.3 percent in March to 5.4 percent in April. However, Wyoming’s unemployment rate was much lower than the current U.S. rate of 6.1 percent.

From March to April, unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell in most counties around the state. Unemployment rates often decrease in April as seasonal job gains occur in construction, retail trade, and professional and business services. The largest unemployment rate decreases were seen in Park (down from 5.9 percent to 5.1 percent), Big Horn (down from 6.1 percent to 5.3 percent), and Johnson (down from 5.9 percent to 5.2 percent) counties. Teton County was the exception. Its unemployment rate rose from 4.2 percent in March to 7.0 percent in April as the ski season ended.

Research and Planning has scheduled the May unemployment news release for June 21, 2021.