While still well below the state average, the unemployment rate in Ellis County ticked up for the second straight month in June.

The Kansas Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate in Ellis County of 2.6 percent in June, compared to 2.4 percent in May.

Unemployment throughout northwest Kansas remains extremely low, with Rush County 4.0 percent topping the region.

Logan County again posted the state’s lowest jobless rate — 2.0 percent.

The statewide jobless rate in June was 4.9 percent.