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Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

May Local Employment and Unemployment Data Released

Thirty-nine counties, 15 major cities and six metro areas report historically low May unemployment rates

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for Wisconsin metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for May 2023.

In brief, the nonseasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:

Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary May 2023 unemployment rates remained the same in one Wisconsin metro area and rose in 11 of the state's 12 metro areas over the month. Over the year, 11 of 12 Wisconsin metro areas had rates decrease or remain the same.
Municipalities: Preliminary May 2023 unemployment rates increased in all of Wisconsin's 35 largest cities over the month. Over the year, 27 Wisconsin cities had unemployment rates decrease or stay the same.
Counties: Preliminary May 2023 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 28 of 72 Wisconsin counties over the month. Over the year, 64 of 72 Wisconsin counties had unemployment rates decrease or stay the same.

"Unemployment rates surpassed or tied record lows for the month of May in more than half of Wisconsin's counties and in half of the state's metro areas," DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. "This speaks to the competitiveness of Wisconsin's labor market, and it reaffirms the importance of our state's historic investments in efforts to develop the workforce and connect workers to family-supporting jobs."

The data included in today's release can be accessed at Wisconomy.com.

View Wisconsin Labor Force Summary

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.