TOPEKA – The state’s February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, unchanged from the January and down from 4.6 percent in February 2014.

In Ellis County, the jobless rate was 3.1 percent, inching up from the 2.9 percent reported in January.

Northwest Kansas counties continue to post among the lowest unemployment rates, although an uptick was seen from January to February. Trego County rose a full percentage point, reaching 4.6 percent in February.

Sheridan County was tied for the state’s lowest jobless rate at 2.3 percent. Click the map at right for a county-by-county breakdown.

Seasonally adjusted figures show Kansas gained 21,000 private sector jobs since last year, or 1.9 percent. Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 21,200 jobs, a 1.5 percent increase since February 2014. Since last month, Kansas added 9,000 seasonally adjusted private sector jobs, or 0.8 percent. The state gained 9,500 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs, a 0.7 percent increase since last month.

“Private sector jobs continue to drive Kansas’ economic growth, setting a new record high this month,” said Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor.

Not seasonally adjusted figures show Kansas gained 20,400 private sector jobs since last year, or 1.8 percent. Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 20,600 jobs, a 1.5 percent increase since February 2014. Since January, private sector jobs increased by 6,100, or 0.5 percent. The state gained 14,600 total nonfarm jobs over the month, a 1.1 percent increase.

“Demand for labor in the state continued to improve in February, with the number of private sector jobs increasing by 20,400, or 1.8 percent, over the past 12 months,” said Tyler Tenbrink, Senior Labor Economist. “The number of average hours worked in a week increased at a modest rate of 0.6 percent.”

The March 2015 Labor Report will be released on Friday, April 17.