The unemployment rate decreased to 7.4 percent for September in Wyandotte County, according to figures announced today by the Kansas Department of Labor.
Unemployment was reported at 9.4 percent in Wyandotte County during August, according to the report. One year ago, in September 2019, unemployment was 3.5 percent in Wyandotte County.
In Kansas City, Kansas, unemployment was 7.5 percent for September and 9.5 percent for August, according to the report. One year ago, in September 2019, unemployment was 3.6 percent in Kansas City, Kansas.
It is the second highest rate of the largest cities in Kansas, according to the report. Wichita had a higher rate at 9.1 percent in September.
During a news conference today in Topeka, Gov. Laura Kelly pointed to new job-creating projects, including the Amazon fulfillment center announced today, which will employ more than 500 people, as well as the new Urban Outfitters warehouse project announced next to the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, expected to create 2,000 new jobs. Wichita also will receive a new Amazon warehouse project. The governor referred to other new projects also, including an expanded bioscience project in Lawrence with 270 jobs that is expected to bring ancillary development of 2,500 jobs, and a Salina plant with 250 new jobs.
Overall, Kansas has an unemployment rate of 5.9 percent in September, a decrease from 6.9 percent in August, according to today’s labor report.
While the decline in unemployment numbers is sometimes considered positive news, the Kansas acting labor secretary stated in a news release that similar to national trends, the number of individuals participating in the labor force also has declined. Total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 7,200 statewide, according to the state Department of Labor
“The widespread job growth seen in Kansas throughout the summer slowed in September, with losses in both the private sector and government jobs,” stated Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen, in the news release. “The majority of the over-the-month decrease in jobs can be attributed to government which added fewer jobs than the typical pattern for September, resulting in a seasonally adjusted decline.”
For more information, visit https://klic.dol.ks.gov/gsipub/index.asp?docid=472.