Kansas job numbers down in August

Kansas lost 7,700 jobs in August compared to a year ago, according to the Kansas Department of Labor, with the heaviest losses coming in government and construction employment.

When seasonal adjustments are factored in, the loss statewide was 8,300 jobs.

State and local governments have struggled with budget woes brought on by changes to the state tax code in recent years. Also the state’s rural areas have been hurt by steep declines in oil and gas activity, and lower farm prices.

The great majority of the state’s counties saw increases in their unemployment rate compared to a year ago. The state unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in August – or 4.3 seasonally adjusted – up from last year’s 4.3 percent.

But in the Wichita area, the story appeared more mixed.

The number of jobs in the Wichita area grew by 2,300 compared to a year ago. Even when seasonal adjustments are made, the number of jobs was still 1,700 ahead of last year.

Yet, the unemployment rate in Wichita was 5.3 percent in August, up from 4.7 percent of August 2015, because this survey showed the number of people working has fallen since last year. The numbers are not seasonally adjusted and could reflect when the survey was done in August.

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Kansas job numbers down in August."