Unemployment rate climbs in state
9:26 PM 6/23/04
Associated Press

Unemployment increased in all but three of Wisconsin's 11 largest metropolitan areas in May, labor officials said Wednesday. <

Only Milwaukee and Sheboygan saw their seasonally adjusted jobless rates decrease last month, according to the state Department of Workforce Development. Kenosha's rate stayed the same. <

Unemployment rates increased in Appleton-Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Janesville-Beloit, La Crosse, Madison, Racine and Wausau, according to the agency. <

Racine had the highest rate at 7.1 percent in May, up from 7 percent in April. <

Madison reported the lowest rate at 2.7 percent, up from 2.4 percent in April. <

The unemployment rate is based on the number of people seeking employment. Those who are jobless but not actively looking for work are not included in the rate. The figures are adjusted for seasonal changes. <

Wisconsin's overall unemployment rate increased to 5.1 percent in May from 4.6 percent in April. <

State labor officials have said May's unemployment rate was still strong, and April's rate was unusually low. <