SWEETWATER COUNTY — The Research and Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services released the March 2021 unemployment rate report for Wyoming on Monday, showing that the state held steady from February to March at 5.3 percent.

Wyoming’s unemployment rate has remained within the narrow range of 5.1 percent to 5.4 percent in each of the past six months and is considerably lower than the current U.S. rate of 6 percent.

From February to March, unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell in every county. Jobless rates often decrease in March as warmer weather brings seasonal job gains in construction, leisure and hospitality, government, and other sectors. The largest decreases occurred in Sublette (down from 8.9 percent to 7.7 percent), Converse (down from 7.5 percent to 6.3 percent), Natrona (down from 8.9 percent to 7.9 percent), Hot Springs (down from 5.9 percent to 4.9 percent), and Campbell (down from 7.6 percent to 6.6 percent) counties.

From March 2020 to March 2021, unemployment rates decreased in 17 counties and increased in six counties. The largest decreases were reported in Washakie (down from 7 percent to 5.3 percent), Sublette (down from 9.4 percent to 7.7 percent), and Big Horn (down from 7.6 percent to 6.1 percent) counties. Unemployment rates rose in Natrona (up from 6.1 percent to 7.9 percent), Converse (up from 4.7 percent to 6.3 percent), and Campbell (up from 5.6 percent to 6.6 percent) counties.

In Sweetwater County, the unemployment rate decreased from 7.7 percent in February to 7.1 percent in March, which is still the third highest unemployment rate in the state. Natrona County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.9 percent, followed by Sublette County at 7.7 percent.

Weston County had the lowest unemployment rate in March at 4.1 percent. It was followed by Teton County at 4.2 percent and Niobrara and Goshen counties, both at 4.3 percent.

Research and Planning has scheduled the April unemployment news release for May 24, 2021.