TOPEKA — Several northwest Kansas remain or fell below the 2.0 percent unemployment mark in October, according to statistics released this week by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Trego, Gove, Logan, Wallace and Sheridan counties in northwest Kansas recorded jobless rates ranging from 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent.

Ellis County fell against, from 2.2 percent in September to 2.0 percent in October, according to KDOL figures.

Statewide, the unemployment rate went from 4.7 percent in September to 4.4 percent in October.

“The private sector continues to lead Kansas’ comeback from the Great Recession. This month, employers boosted job levels to a new record high,” said Justin McFarland, Director, Labor Market Information Services. “Kansans also saw their earnings increase by 3.3 percent over the month. The increased income will continue to drive growth.”

Wallace County’s 1.5 percent was the state’s lowest. Click the map above for a county-by-county breakdown.

There were 11,175 initial claims for unemployment benefits in October 2014, up from 10,978 in September and down from 13,489 last year. There were 66,959 continued claims in October, down from 68,335 the previous month and down from 93,184 in October 2013. These numbers include all available programs.

The November employment report will be released on Dec. 19.