CHEYENNE – Unemployment in Goshen County remains below the national, state and surrounding county averages and slightly decreased as unemployment trends continue to trend up statewide and nationally.

In its monthly unemployment report, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Wyoming unemployment rates rose 3.6% in November 2022.

“The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly from 3.5% in October to 3.6% in November,” Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Senior Economist David Bullard wrote. “Wyoming’s unemployment rate was considerably lower than its November 2021 level of 4.0% and slightly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.7%.”

Adding, “From October to November, unemployment rates fell in 15 counties, rose in five counties and remained unchanged in three counties.”

The largest decreases from October to November occurred in Washakie County from 2.6% to 2.3%, Sweetwater County from 3.9% to 3.6%, and Converse County from 2.6% to 2.3%.

The largest increase from October to November occurred in Teton County from 2.5% to 3.8%.

“Unemployment usually increases in Teton County in November, as tourist activity slows between the summer and winter seasons,” Bullard explained.

Goshen County’s unemployment rate decreased slightly from 2.7% in October to 2.6% in November, however, the county recorded the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the state.

Converse, Crook, Hot Springs and Weston counties have slightly lower unemployment rates ranging from 2.1%-2.5%, while Albany County recorded the same 2.6% as Goshen County did for November.

Despite unemployment rates increasing in Wyoming, but decreasing slightly in Goshen County, rates are lower than a year ago and the workforce in the county remains stable according to the state department.

“In November, most county unemployment rates decreased from this year-ago levels,” Bullard stated. “The largest decreases were seen in Converse County, down from 3.4% (November 2021) to 2.3% (November 2022); Campbell County, down from 3.9% (November 2021) to 3.0% (November 2022); Natrona County, down from 4.4% (November 2021) to 3.6% (November 2022); Sublette County, down from 4.2% (November 2021) to 3.6% (November 2022); and Hot Springs County, down from 3.1% (November 2021) to 3.4% (November 2022).”

Adding, “Unemployment rates rose modestly in Carbon County, up from 3.1% (November 2021) to 3.4% (November 2022) and Niobrara County, up from 2.6% (November 2021) to 2.9% (November 2022).”

Weston County recorded 2.1% unemployment rate; Converse County recorded 2.3%; Hot Springs and Crook counties both recorded 2.4% for November. The highest unemployment rates occurred in Teton County, 3.8%, and Natrona, Sublette and Sweetwater counties, each recording 3.6%.

According to Bullard, “Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming, not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work, rose from 278,400 in November 2021 to 283,800 in November 2022, an increase of 5,400 jobs, or 1.9%.”

The state department is expected to release the December 2022 unemployment report on Jan. 25, 2023.

The number of unemployed Wyomingites increased by 304 individuals from October to November. Wyoming’s unemployment rate has continued to increase by an average of .1% every month since July after recovering from pandemic lows the first half of 2022.

For more information, visit, www.dws.wyo.gov/.