Wyoming Unemployment Up

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's unemployment rate jumped to 4.7 percent in January as the state continues to see the downturn in the energy extraction industry take a toll on its economy.

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says January's jobless rate is significantly higher than the 4.4 percent rate recorded in December and the 3.8 percent rate in January 2015.

Fremont County posted the highest unemployment rate in January at 8.1 percent. It was followed by Natrona at 7.2 percent, Johnson at 7.1 percent and Sublette at 6.8 percent. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Albany at 3.6 percent, Teton at 3.7 percent and Goshen at 3.9 percent.

Over the last year, counties heavy with coal, oil and natural gas industry saw the biggest increases in unemployment rates, led by Natrona County.