The unemployment rate was 6 percent in Wyandotte County during October, down from 7 percent in September, according to the Kansas Department of Labor. It is still the highest county unemployment rate in the state.
The October figure also was down from one year ago, when unemployment was 7.7 percent in Wyandotte County.
Kansas City, Kan., had a 6.1 percent unemployment rate in October, which was the highest of all the largest cities in the state, according to KDOL figures. The second highest was Wichita, with 4.9 percent; and third was Leavenworth, with 4.8 percent. Labette County, including the Parsons, Kan., area, had a 5 percent unemployment rate.
Statewide, the unemployment rate for October was 4.4 percent. The unemployment rate declined statewide from 4.7 percent in September and 5.2 percent one year ago.
The Wyandotte County unemployment rate represents 4,183 persons who are unemployed.
Statewide, private sector jobs increased 1.2 percent since last year, according to KDOL. Since last month, private sector jobs increased .7 percent statewide, seasonally adjusted.
“Labor market conditions improved with record high employment and a 0.3 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate from 4.7 percent in September to 4.4 percent in October,” said Efua Afful, labor economist, about the statewide figures. “With higher consumption capacity, we expect greater demand for goods and services with benefits for consumers and businesses.”