The strong economy means a lower unemployment rate, and that trend is continuing in Wisconsin according to the latest state unemployment numbers for August.
State Labor Economist Mitchell Rupp in Wausau gives the numbers for the Northwoods...
"....The August unemployment rate for the five counties are Forest, 4.5, Langlade 4.0, Lincoln, 3.3, Oneida 2.8, Vilas 3.0...."
Price county's rate was up slightly to 3.7 percent, while Iron county has the second highest rate in the state at 5.7.
With the exception of Price county, all the other counties listed have dropped between one-half and a full percentage point in jobless numbers since this time last year. Florence county had the largest unemployment rate decline over the year, dropping 1.2 percentage points to 3.2 percent.
The statewide average is around 3 percent.
Economists report that the state is nearing full employment when the statewide average is four points or below.
63 counties are at 4 percent unemployment or below.
