Ford County Unemployment Holds Steady at 2.5%
Local rate remains well below state average of 3.8% and national rate of 4.6%
Ford County recorded an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent in November, well below the statewide rate of 3.8 percent and well under the national average of 4.6 percent, according to data released by the Kansas Department of Labor. The local jobless rate fell from 2.7 percent a year ago, representing an improvement of 0.2 percentage points as employers continued hiring.
The area's labor force totaled 18,561 workers in November, with 18,095 employed and 466 actively seeking work. The county's unemployment rate ranks among the lowest in the state, reflecting strong local demand for workers. The meatpacking and agricultural industries continue to drive employment in southwest Kansas.