Mixed Changes to Northern Wis. Jobless Rates | Business

There are mixed changes to northern Wisconsin unemployment rates.

Statistics released by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on Wednesday show the jobless rate declined between December 2011 and December 2012 in Burnett, Douglas, and Washburn counties, but rose in Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, and Sawyer counties.

All of the counties posted higher jobless rates in December than in November, but the rates are not adjusted for normal seasonal variations.

December unemployment rates were 8.0 percent in Ashland County, 11.9 percent in Bayfield County, 8.1 percent in Burnett County, 6.1 percent in Douglas County, 12.5 percent in Iron County, 10.6 percent in Sawyer County, and 8.0 percent in Washburn County.

Iron County's unemployment rate continues to be second-highest in the state, behind Menominee County.

Superior's unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in December, down from 6.3 percent one year earlier.

Wisconsin's statewide unemployment rate for December, not adjusted for seasonal variations, was 6.5 percent, down from 7.6 percent a year earlier. The adjusted rate for December was 6.6 percent.