The number of jobless claims in the region dropped from June to July. The unemployment rate last month in Dodge County was 7.9%, down from June’s 8.1% but higher than the 7.7% reported in July of last year. Jefferson County was at 7.8% last month while Fond du Lac County reported 7.1%, both down two-tenths from June. Columbia County was down a tenth to 6.8%. Washington County was at 6.7% last month, down four-tenths from the previous month. Dane County continues to have the lowest rate at 5.3%. Menominee County has the highest at 20.2%. In total, 56 of the state’s 72 counties had rate declines or no change over the two-month period. Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.3% last month, up from 7% in June and a full percentage point below the national rate of 8.3%.
