TOPEKA — Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in August. This was down from 3.3 percent in July and down from 3.3 percent in August 2018.

“The unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent in August for the first time in more than 20 years, and Kansas employers in the private sector added 4,200 jobs. This growth was widespread with four industries contributing at least 1,000 jobs each,” said Secretary Delía García.

In northwest Kansas, jobless rates remain extremely low. Ellis County unemployment fell from 2.8 percent in July to 2.5 percent in August. Rooks County, which saw its economy take a hit in 2019 with stride at Dessin Fournir and Plainville Livestock Commission, saw its jobless rate fall from a regional high of 4.3 percent in July to 3.7 percent in August.

Trego, Graham, Ness, Rush and Russell counties also posted August jobless rates in excess of 3 percent.

Wichita County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2 percent.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 7,900 from July. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 4,200 from the previous month.

“Kansas has seen significant growth in the number of private sector jobs compared to last August,” said Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen. “This has been broad economic growth, with all 10 of the major private sector industries either remaining stable or adding jobs over the year.”

Since August 2018, Kansas gained 15,500 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 17,800 private sector jobs.

The September 2019 Labor Report will be released Oct. 18.