(KLZA)-- Unemployment rates were higher in most southeast Nebraska counties during the month of April.

Although Johnson County was the only area county with a lower jobless rate compared to the previous month, the 3.8% unemployment rate is still the highest in the area, just a tenth of a point lower than in March.

Unemployment rates increased by 3-tenths of a percent in both Richardson and Nemaha counties to 2.9% in Richardson County and 3.2% in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

In Pawnee County, unemployment went up 4-tenths of a percent to 3.1%. Unemployment in Otoe County was up a tenth to 2.6%.

Gage County had an April unemployment rate of 2.8%, up 2-tenths of a percent.

The Nebraska Department of Labor announced the statewide jobless rate in April was 3%, up a tenth of a point. That is the 6th best jobless rate in the nation. South Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8%.

Iowa ranks 16th with an unemployment rate of 3.5%; Kansas is 25th at 3.8% and Missouri is tied for 27th at 3.9%.

Nationally the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is April was 4.2% which was unchanged from the March rate but up 3-tenths of a point from April, 2024.