Unemployment rates across northwest Kansas remain extremely low, and the jobless rate in Ellis County fell from 2.8 percent in July to 2.6 percent in August.

That’s well below the statewide average of 4.9 percent, according to figures from the Kansas Department of Labor. The state jobless rate was unchanged from July to August.

“The Kansas economy again recorded positive signs of growth, both over the month and over the year. In the private sector, key indicators of growth including average weekly hours and earnings continue to show improvement, indicating a better standard of living for Kansans,” said Efua Afful, KDOL economist.

Most of western Kansas remains below 4 percent unemployment, with Wallace County offering the state’s lowest rate of 2 percent.

Russell County (4 percent) had the highest jobless rate in the region.

The unemployment rate generally increases from west to east in the state, with most of the easternmost tier of Kansas counties ranging from 5 percent to more than 6 percent.

Click the map above for a county-by-county look at the state’s unemployment conditions.