WASHINGTON: Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in July, compared to 4.2 percent a year ago. It was up a 10th of a point from June. The U.S. unemployment rate in July was 4.3 percent, down from 4.9 percent a year ago and 4.4 percent in June. The Wisconsin Dept. of Workforce Development said July unemployment was only 2.9 percent in Trempealeau County, 3.7 percent in Buffalo County and 3.5 percent in Pepin County. Dane and Iowa counties had the lowest jobless rates, 2.5 percent. Menominee was highest at 7.4 percent, and Forest and Iron counties had unemployment above 5 percent. Seventeen counties had unemployment below 3 percent.
Wisconsin and Iowa were tied for 10th place in lowest unemployment among states. North Dakota ranked first with a jobless rate of only 2.2 percent. Colorado was second at 2.4 percent. In neighboring states, unemployment was 3.7 percent in Minnesota, 4.8 percent in Illinois and 3.7 percent in Michigan. Alaska had the highest unemployment rate, 7 percent. The government’s Midwest Consumer Price Index showed an annual inflation rate of 1.3 percent, unchanged for 3 months in a row. Household energy prices were unchanged in July, groceries were up 0.3 percent, medical care was up 0.4 percent, motor fuel was down 2.3 percent, and clothing apparel was down 1.7 percent.
