Unemployment numbers for the Manhattan metropolitan area this past month are up some from the month before, but steady with numbers from the same time last year.
The Manhattan metro area includes Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties–and a 5.9 percent rate was reported in June, compared to 5.2 in May, but the same as June of 2011. The Manhattan metro number is still the lowest in the state, with the closest metro area being Kansas City with a 6.1 percent rate.
The city of Manhattan continues to compare favorably with other towns in the state with its five percent number. Only three other cities were lower including Leawood with 3.8 percent, Dodge City with 4.6, and Shawnee with 4.5 percent. The rate was an increase for Manhattan though, up from 4.4 in May and also up from 4.9 percent in June of 2011.
Riley County’s rate is 5.2 percent, also up from 4.6 in June and 5.1 last year. Other area counties also show an increase, including Pottawatomie county with 5.8 percent, Clay with 4.8, and Geary county, which always tends to be higher with 7.9 percent.
