The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday unemployment rates across Wisconsin are slightly lower than they were in August 2009.
Roberta Gassman, secretary for the Department of Workforce Development, said 29 of 31 large Wisconsin cities experienced a drop in their unemployment rate since 2009. The study defined ""large"" as a city with a population of roughly 25,000.
Gassman said there has been a slight decrease in unemployment rates in the past month as well as jobs added in health care, manufacturing and education.
""Of 31 municipalities with at least 25,000 people, 24 experienced an unemployment rate decrease from July to August,"" the statement said.
Madison had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.6 percent, followed by La Crosse at 6.1 percent and Eau Claire at 6.7 percent.
According to the study, the unemployment rate in Wisconsin is lower than the national average and has been that way throughout the economic downturn.
