Unemployment increases to 9.6 percent in KCK

Unemployment increased to 9.6 percent in January in Kansas City, Kan., an increase from 8.8 percent in December, according to local unemployment figures released Monday by the Kansas Department of Labor.

In Wyandotte County unemployment was at 9.3 percent in January, increased from the 8.5 percent rate in December, according to the state’s figures.

Linn County had the highest unemployment rate in Kansas, with 11.2 percent in January, and Wilson County followed at 9.5 percent. Wyandotte County was third.

Among the state’s largest cities, Leavenworth posted a 10.3 percent unemployment rate, with Emporia listing 9.8 percent. Kansas City, Kan., was third. Unemployment was 8.1 percent in Topeka and 7.7 percent in Wichita.

According to state figures, the Wyandotte County rate means 6,497 people are unemployed here. The number of unemployed residents in Kansas City, Kan., is 6,213.

In comparison, the Leavenworth city unemployment rate represents 1,550 unemployed persons. Topeka had 5,318 unemployed persons and Wichita, 14,295 unemployed. Emporia had 1,319 unemployed persons.

The unemployment rate for the state of Kansas was 6.2 percent, representing 92,566 persons who are unemployed. The December rate was 5.3 percent.

State analysts pointed to seasonal factors as a reason for the increase in unemployment.

"After seasonal factors are accounted for, Kansas started the year with healthy job growth in the private sector," said Tyler Tenbrink, senior labor economist, in a news release. "This is on top of favorable annual revisions to the 2011 and 2012 employment estimates."