Recently, counties across the state reported the final week of initial weekly unemployment insurance (UI) claims for the third-quarter of 2013. Weekly UI claims are used as an input variable to determine the monthly unemployment rate. The raw data can also be used as a quick evaluation tool to illuminate business cycle trends and labor market developments.
Click graph to enlarge The data show that the three counties in the Wasatch Front North (WFN) Economic Service Area (ESA) – Davis, Morgan, and Weber – averaged the lowest number of quarterly UI claims in five years. On average, just over 300 UI claims were filed each week in the ESA during the third-quarter, compare that to 526 per week in 2009. The current rate of UI claims is approximately 60 more per week than in the third quarter of 2007. The relative majority of UI claims in the WFN came from workers no longer employed in the manufacturing and administrative and support industries, as well as the federal government.
- Davis County: Averaged 142 initial weekly UI claims in the third-quarter 2013
- 38 percent decrease from the third-quarter 2009
- 37 percent increase from the third-quarter 2007
- Morgan County: Averaged 3 initial weekly UI claims in the third-quarter 2013
- 44 percent decrease from the third-quarter 2009
- 5 percent increase from the third-quarter 2007
- Weber County: Averaged 170 initial weekly UI claims in the third-quarter 2013
- 42 percent decrease from the third-quarter 2009
- 12 percent increase from the third-quarter 2007
Click graph to enlarge
