Lawrence MSA Unemployment Holds Steady at 2.9%
Local rate remains well below state average of 3.8% and national rate of 4.6%
Lawrence MSA recorded an unemployment rate of 2.9 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 3.0 percent a year ago, representing an improvement of 0.1 percentage points as employers continued hiring.
The area's labor force totaled 72,967 workers in November, with 70,841 employed and 2,126 actively seeking work. As a metropolitan statistical area, Lawrence MSA serves as an economic anchor for surrounding communities. The University of Kansas and a growing tech sector continue to fuel job growth in Douglas County.