HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The latest numbers for the Kansas Department of Labor show the unemployment rate for Hutchinson in August was 3.8%, down slightly from 3.9% in July and lower than the 4.1% in August of last year.

The rate for Reno County was also lower with a 3.6% rate in August, down slightly from July when the rate was 3.8%. The rate in August of last year was also at 3.8%.

There were 1,025 residents of Reno County looking for work last month. Most of those residents were in Hutchinson.

All of the surrounding counties also saw slight drops in their rates. McPherson County had the lowest rate in the area at 2.6%, followed closely by Pratt County at 2.8%.

Preliminary state estimates show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2% in August, down from 3.3% in July and down from 3.3% in August 2018.