Cloud County Unemployment Slightly Up in May

Cloud County's unemployment rate increased slightly in May to 2.2 percent from 1.9 percent in April, according to the latest Kansas Department of Labor report.

That's still below the national rate of 3.6 percent.

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate of 2.3 percent in May.  Secretary Amber Shultz says this was a decrease from 2.4 percent in April and a decrease from 3.4 percent in May 2021.

The preliminary estimates released by the Department of Labor this month indicate Cloud County's unemployment rate was at 2.2 percent in May 2022, which is down from 2.8 percent in May 2021.  A total of 87 people were listed as unemployed.

Elsewhere in North Central Kansas, Washington County had the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 1.7 percent.  Mitchell County had an unemployment rate of 1.8 percent.  Republic County had an unemployment rate of 2.0 percent.  Jewell County had an unemployment rate 2.2 percent.  Clay County and Ottawa County had the highest unemployment rates in the region at 2.3 percent.

Labor Economist Nathan Kessler says seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,100 from April.  Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers.  Private sector jobs decreased by 1,200 over the month, while government increased by 100.

Since May 2021 Kansas' seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 18,400.  This change is due to an increase of 19,200 private sector jobs and a decrease of 800 government jobs.