Oak Creek Unemployment Rate Back Above 7 Percent

With an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent, Oak Creek was ranked 23rd out of the state's 31 municipalities with population of 25,000 or more. 

The local unemployment rate worsened from May to June, increasing from 6.6 percent in May to June's 7.4 percent, according to information released by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. One year ago, the rate in Oak Creek was 7.7 percent.

Milwaukee County had the 14th worst rate in the state in June, with 9.7 percent unemployment, up from 8.7 percent in May. Unemployment was at 9.9 percent one year ago.

The unemployment rate in Oak Creek, while lower than the county rate, has mirrored the county's ups and downs over the past 18 months.

The Milwaukee metropolitan area had an overall unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in June. The statewide unemployment rate was 8.1 percent. 

Other facts

• All 12 of the state's metro areas saw the unemployment rate increase from May to June.
• All 31 of the state's municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more saw increases in their unemployment rates from May to June, though 23 of them had increases less than 1 percent.
• Most of the 12,900 private-sector jobs added in June (the largest one-month jump since September 2003) appeared to be in non-metro areas, according to DWD Secretary Scott Baumbach. Tourism may be behind that number, with the state's leisure and hospitality industry gaining 6,200 jobs in June. 
• Increases in unemployment rates from May to June are in part due to students who finish the academic year and enter the job market for summer employment. The June numbers are preliminary, and may be revised.