JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Wyoming is enjoying a successful recovery from new unemployment claims, with last week’s claims lower than in the same week in 2019, according to WalletHub’s updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest.
Wyoming’s unemployment rate, statewide, is currently at 6.6%, according to WalletHub. Wyoming Department of Workforce Services pegs it at 5.4% for April 2021. May statistics will be available June 21.
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 & business services. The largest unemployment rate decreases were seen in Park (down from 5.9% to 5.1%), Big Horn (down from 6.1% to 5.3%), and Johnson (down from 5.9% to 5.2%) counties.
Teton County was the exception. Its unemployment rate rose from 4.2% in March to 7.0% in April as the ski season ended.
From April 2020 to April 2021, jobless rates rose in 16 counties and fell in seven counties. The largest increases occurred in Converse (up from 4.1% to 6.1%), Niobrara (up from 2.6% to 4.1%), Big Horn (up from 3.9% to 5.3%), and Uinta (up from 5.5% to 6.3%) counties.
Unemployment rates fell in Teton (down from 12.5% to 7.0%), Park (down from 5.9% to 5.1%), Laramie (down from 5.4% to 4.6%), and Johnson (down from 5.9% to 5.2%) counties.
Natrona County had the highest unemployment rate in April at 7.4%. It was followed by Sublette County at 7.1%, Teton County at 7.0%, and Sweetwater County at 6.8%.
The lowest unemployment rates were found in Weston County at 3.9% and Crook and Albany counties, each at 4.0%.
Key Stats:
- Weekly unemployment claims in Wyoming decreased by 14.77% compared to the same week in 2019. This was the biggest decrease in the U.S.
- Weekly unemployment claims in Wyoming decreased by 43.35% compared to the start of 2020. This was the 6th biggest decrease in the U.S.
- Weekly unemployment claims in Wyoming decreased by 84.51% compared to the same week last year. This was the 9th biggest decrease in the U.S.
