State’s metro areas see drop in unemployment rates

Madison (AP) — New data from state labor officials show unemployment fell in all 12 of Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan areas last month.

The Madison area had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent, down from 6 percent in March. The Janesville area had the highest unemployment rate at 10.2 percent, down from 10.7 percent in February. All the metro areas’ unemployment rates dropped from the same time a year ago.

Sixty-eight of Wisconsin’s 72 counties had lower unemployment rates in March than in February. Florence, Iron and Vilas counties saw their rates increase while the rate in Lincoln County remained unchanged.

The state added 12,300 jobs in March.