Kansas’ unemployment rate held steady between July and August, but was slightly down across the KVOE listening area.
At the state level, unemployment remained at 3.8 percent, a slight increase from 3.7 percent in August 2024. Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 4,700 in July, with private sector jobs down 1,300 and government jobs down 3,400.
Leisure and hospitality saw the largest increase in the private sector, with the largest decrease being in trade, transportation and utilities, with a loss of 2,100 jobs.
Locally, both Emporia and Lyon County’s jobless rates decreased from 6.4 percent to 6.0 percent in the city and from 6.0 percent to 5.8 percent for the county. Decreases were noted elsewhere as well, with Chase County dropping from 4.5 percent to 4.2 percent, Greenwood County dropping from 5.4 percent to 4.9 and Osage County from 4.2 percent to 4.1 percent.
Increases were noted in Coffey County, which rose from 4.6 to 5.2, Morris County, which increased from 3.2 to 3.6 and Wabaunsee County, which rose from 3.8 to 3.9.
