Unemployment rate fluctuates

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
The unemployment rate in Weston County and the entire state has fluctuated over the past three months, according to the unemployment report issued by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services for June, July and August. 
From May to June of 2018, Weston, Crook, Niobrara and Platte counties all saw an increase in their unemployment rate. Wyoming as a whole also had an increase in the unemployment rate in June, jumping from 3.6 percent to 4.1 percent, although the statewide seasonally adjusted rate stayed the same at 3.7 percent. 
Weston County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.1 percent to 3.8 percent from May to June. The unemployment rate for June 2017 was similar at 3.7 percent. 
The number of unemployed in Weston County jumped from 115 to 140, and the labor force climbed from 3,687 in May to 3,712 in June. The number of employed in the county held steady at 3,572. 
July and August brought a decrease in unemployment rates for Weston, Crook, and Niobrara counties, while Platte County stayed the same according to the report. Wyoming also experienced a decrease from June to July, as well as from July to August, dropping from 4.1 percent to 3.6 percent over the two months.  
Weston County’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.1 to 3.8 from June to July. The number of unemployed dropped from 140 to 125 during the same period. The labor force and number of employed also decreased from June to July by 142 people and 127 people, respectively. 
The unemployment rate for Weston County dropped another 0.4 percent from July to August, the number of unemployed dropping to 114. The labor force for the same period dropped by only 8 workers and the number of people employed increased by 5.