Unemployment rate drops in HS county

Unemployment numbers for the month of August have been released by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, showing Hot Springs County’s unemployment rate dropped from 3.7 percent in July to 3.1 percent in August.

While that may seem like a significant drop in unemployment, it is necessary to realize the actual workforce in the county dropped by 49 people, either through moving out of the county, retiring or otherwise leaving the workforce.

That leaves just 32 people actually seeking work in the county, a difference of just 17 people creating the .6 percent difference between July and August.

Hot Springs County was one of the four biggest drops in unemployment across the period along with Niobrara, Fremont and Sweetwater counties.

Highest unemployment rates in the state are seen in Fremont, Natrona, Campbell, Converse and Sweetwater Counties with the lowest rates seen in Teton, Niobrara and Crook Counties.