Local unemployment rates were down last month in all but one of Wisconsin’s 12 metro areas.
Figures released by the state Department of Workforce Development Wednesday show Racine’s preliminary jobless rate was 7.9 percent in October without a seasonal adjustment. It’s the highest among the state’s metros, and it’s two-tenths of a percent higher than in September.
Janesville had the second-highest rate at 6.9 percent, and Metro Milwaukee was at 6.5 percent. Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Madison all had jobless rates below five percent. Madison was the lowest at 4.1 percent.
Four of the state’s 12 metros lost jobs last month on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Metro Milwaukee had the biggest loss with 800. The Appleton area had the largest increase in jobs, with 800.
Seventeen of the state’s 72 counties saw their unadjusted jobless rates go up from September to October. Iron County was the highest as 12.1 percent. Saint Croix was the lowest at 3.8 percent.