Kansas Department of Labor
The unemployment rate for Ellis County fell again in Novemeber down to 2.5% compared to 3% in September.
Ellis County also had an unemployment rate of 2.5% in November 2024.
Most of northwest Kansas counties are reporting less than 4%, with the exception of Lane County, which is at 4.1% unemployment for November.
No data was collected for October because of the federal government shutdown.
Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in November. This is unchanged from 3.8% in September and unchanged from 3.8% in November 2024.
The labor force participation rate for Kansas increased to 67.4% in November.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 3,800 from October. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,800 over the month, while government remained unchanged.
The largest job gains in the private sector were in trade, transportation and utilities (+1,500 jobs). The largest decrease was in leisure and hospitality (-300 jobs).
Since November 2024, Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 3,500. This change is due to an increase of 5,400 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,900 government jobs.
The December 2025 Kansas Labor Report will be released on Friday, Jan. 23.