Teton County’s unemployment rate spiked to its highest level of the year in October, according to a monthly report released this week.

The county’s jobless rate was 8.1 percent for the month, 0.3 percentage points higher than in April, which is traditionally when unemployment is highest because of the spring shoulder season. Meanwhile, across the country, consumer spending and incomes rose in October, while initial jobless claims fell to less than 500,000, the lowest level since September 2008.

Such news wasn’t the case for Wyoming or Teton County.

“Economic conditions have deteriorated,” said David Bullard, senior economist with the Research and Planning division of the Wyoming Department of Employment.

Teton County had the second highest rate in the state, surpassed only by Big Horn County’s 8.2 percent. Teton’s rate also was higher than the state average of 7.4 percent.

Albany County posted the lowest unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, followed by Sublette, at 4.7 percent, and Niobrara, at 5.2 percent.

Wyoming’s unemployment rate was lower than the U.S. rate of 10.2 percent. The state’s unemployment rate has increased in 10 of the last 11 months.

Statewide, from September to October, employment decreased by 5,900 jobs, or 2 percent. That is larger than the normal seasonal decrease of about 2,200 jobs, or 0.8 percent.

Seasonal job losses were seen in construction, which shed 800 jobs; the retail trade, which lost 900 jobs; professional and business services, which dropped 500 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, which lost 3,800 jobs.

Employment increased by 600 jobs, or 0.8 percent, in government.

While there are signs the recession may be easing across the nation, Bullard said the poor economic conditions could last longer here than elsewhere.

Wyoming was also slower to feel the pain, though.

“We don’t see things turning around here,” he said. “Most of the state relies on oil and gas and other mineral commodities. Those prices were really high back in 2008, especially natural gas prices. ... So while the nation was in a recession in 2008, we were still doing well.”