The unemployment rate in Ellis County remained unchanged from October to November, according to data released by the state Friday.

The 2.1 unemployment rate in Ellis County among the lowest in the state, with only four far-western Kansas counties posting lower rates. Just 356 people were categorized as unemployed in Ellis County.

Only four counties west of Interstate 35 — Barton, Reno, Morton and Seward — posted a jobless rate of 3 percent or higher.

Statewide, preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in November. This was down from 3.3 in October and down from 3.5 percent in November 2017.

“Kansas is heading for a strong finish to 2018 as the number of private sector jobs in November reached 1,169,200, a new all-time high,” said Secretary Lana Gordon.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 1,500 from October. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 1,500 from the previous month.

“Labor market conditions continued to improve in November with a notable increase in real wages and stronger hiring among retailers than last year at this time,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink.

Since November 2017, Kansas gained 19,700 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 16,900 private sector jobs.