Jobless Rate Down Slightly

10/27/11 – The jobless rate in the region edged down slightly from August to September. Unemployment filings in Dodge County last month were down one-tenth of a point 7.5%, which is the same as it was last year at the same time. Also down one-tenth, Columbia County which was at 6.7% and Washington County at 6.4%. Jefferson County was down a half-percentage point to 7.3%. Green Lake County is down two-tenths to 7%. Pierce and St. Croix counties shared the lowest jobless rate in the state at 4.9%. Menominee County has the highest at 13.9%, but that is down nearly eight full percentage points from August. Of the 72 counties in the state, 67 had lower rates over the two-month period and three were unchanged. The statewide rate is down one-tenth to 7.8%, well below the national rate of 9.1%.