Unemployment rates released

By Kelsie Hoitomt

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released their monthly employment and unemployment estimates for 2012.

In Dunn County, unemployment rates have increased from 4.3 percent in October to 4.7 percent in November and have increased even further to 5.1 percent in the month of December. This however is still significantly lower than the 6.7 percent that was reported at the beginning of 2012.

The numbers in St. Croix County have been fairly steady as there was no change with October being at 4.3 percent and November was 4.3 percent as well. The end of the year report did show an increase with the rate at 4.9 percent for the month of December. This number may seem high, but is still an improvement from the beginning of 2012 when it was a 6.1 percent unemployment rate.

Menominee County currently has the highest rate of unemployment in the state with 12.7 percent in December; their highest rated month in 2012 was August at 21.9 percent.

These numbers are based on monthly unemployment insurance claims and a survey of about 1,450 households. It is not seasonally adjusted therefore it is subject to change.