New figures from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development show six of the state’s 12 metro areas added jobs in February.
Madison had the largest job gains by far, with an estimated 6,500 jobs added on a seasonally-adjusted basis. The Eau Claire region gained an estimated 1,600, while smaller gains were reported in Appleton, Milwaukee, Oshkosh-Neenah, and La Crosse.
Green Bay had the largest estimated job losses with around 700. Smaller losses were reported in Sheboygan, Racine, Wausau, Fond du Lac, and Janesville.
Of the 12 metros, ten saw their unadjusted unemployment rates go up in March. Eau Claire and La Crosse held steady from February. Racine had the highest metro jobless rate at 9.8 percent. Madison had the lowest at 5.9.
All but 11 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties had increases in unemployment from February. Menominee County has the highest rate at 15 percent. Dane County was the lowest at 5.5 percent.