The unemployment rate in Wisconsin edged up in all 72 counties from one year ago, but only four counties in Wisconsin are at or above the number considered by economists to be full employment.
September numbers provided by the state find only Menominee, Iron, Marinette and Forest counties to be at or above the level of 4 percent in September. Economists say 4 percent joblessness is statistically near full employment.
State labor economist Mitchell Rupp in Wausau has numbers for most of the Northwoods...
"...For the month of September, the unemployment rates are as follows: Forest, 4.0, Langlade 3.2, Lincoln 2.9, Oneida 3.3, and Vilas 2.8...."
Iron county's rate is 4.8 percent, while Price county is at 3.3. 68 of the 72 counties are below 4 percent.
Rupp says the state average is still very low compared to 10 years ago and the regional rate is comparable...
"...2.9 is where we're currently at, which is a decrease of point-four from the previous month, and an increase of point-five from the previous year. For north-central(Wisconsin) we're currently at 2.8 which had a decrease of point-six from the previous month and an increase of point-five from the previous year...."
Lafayette, Iowa and Dane counties have the state's lowest rates, all near 2 percent unemployment.
