CASPER (WNE) — Wyoming continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation according to new numbers from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Monday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged from January to February at 2.8%. 

Wyoming’s unemployment rate was lower than its year-ago level of 3.1% and much lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.9%. 

The region continues to lead the nation in unemployment, with North Dakota having the lowest rate in the nation at 2 percent followed by South Dakota at 2.1 percent. 

From January to February, most Wyoming counties followed their normal seasonal pattern and remained stable or decreased slightly. 

The largest decreases in unemployment occurred in Niobrara (down from 3.8% to 3.0%), Big Horn (down from 4.8% to 4.4%), Platte (down from 3.6% to 3.3%), and Crook (down from 3.4% to 3.1%) counties. Jobless rates increased modestly in Washakie (up from 3.9% to 4.5%) and Hot Springs (up from 3.2% to 3.5%) counties. 

Lincoln County is currently slightly above the statewide average with numbers in February at 3.7%. It is down by a fraction from 3.8% in January. Lincoln County was also at 3.8% unemployment in February of 2023.

From February 2023 to February 2024, unemployment rates fell in 14 counties, rose in six counties, and remained unchanged in three counties. 

The largest decreases were seen in Niobrara (down from 4.5% to 3.0%), Fremont (down from 4.8% to 4.2%), and Carbon (down from 4.2% to 3.7%) counties. Unemployment rates rose slightly in Hot Springs (up from 3.0% to 3.5%), Converse (up from 2.7% to 3.0%), and Washakie (up from 4.2% to 4.5%) counties.