Unemployment percentages are up just a little in the Manhattan area, according to numbers just released by the Kansas Department of Labor. The Manhattan metro area including Riley and Pottawatomie Counties had a 3.7 percent rate in May compared to 3.4 in April. The Manhattan metro with Junction City’s micropolitan area was 4.3 percent, also up from four percent the month before. Individually the city of Manhattan had a 3.3 percent rate, with Junction City at 6.1.
The Manhattan metro area had the lowest unemployment rate in the state with its 3.7 percent number. Lawrence/Douglas County had the second lowest with 3.9 percent.
Area counties also showed an increase, with Riley County at 3.7, Pottawatomie at 3.9, Clay with a 4.2 percent rate, and Geary County, which always tends to be higher, had a 6.4 percent rate.