TOPEKA, Ks. (westernkansasnews.com)

Kansas experienced a significant decline in the unemployment rate in September and increases in the number of jobs reported since one year ago.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in September, a decrease from 6.2 percent last month and 6.7 percent in September 2011. This is the first time this rate has been below 6 percent since December 2008. The non-adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, down from 6.2 percent in August and from 6.7 percent one year ago.  

Kansas gained 12,600 private sector jobs since September 2011, a 1.2 percent increase. The state also added 12,400 nonfarm jobs during this time, a 0.9 percent gain. Since August 2012, Kansas gained 13,700 nonfarm jobs and lost 4,800 private sector jobs.