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Top 10 Cities in Kansas with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love your hometown, you may be considering a new career opportunity within your community. But how challenging will it be to find a job in your area? To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the cities in Kansas with the most robust job markets, based on their unemployment rates.

Many residents choose to live in a certain area due to job opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to Kansas—whether for personal reasons or career prospects—understanding the local job market is crucial.

We sourced demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify which cities boast the lowest unemployment rates. By setting a population threshold, we analyzed data for each city in the Sunflower State to highlight the best options:

For employers, a community with a low unemployment rate is a promising sign of economic vitality. As of now, Prairie Village stands out as the city in Kansas with the lowest unemployment rate.

Continue reading to discover how we identified these cities with the most promising job opportunities in Kansas.

For more information on job opportunities in Kansas, explore the following resources:

How We Determined the Cities in Kansas with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify the most employed cities in Kansas, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000 and with available data that met our criteria.

We analyzed 37 cities across the state.

By examining unemployment rates, we ranked cities based on their job market strength. Our data is derived from the latest American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau.

We believe that unemployment rates offer a clear reflection of the job market in each city, providing insight for anyone considering a move, whether within or outside the state.

Cities were ranked from one to 37, with one representing the city with the lowest unemployment. In cases of ties, the larger city was prioritized.

If your city is not listed in the top ten, scroll down for a detailed chart. Otherwise, let’s delve into how these leading cities achieved their impressive job market standings.

1. Prairie Village

Population: 21,730
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Prairie Village tops our list with an impressive unemployment rate of just 2.6%, making it a standout location for job seekers.

Being the best in the state means residents enjoy a strong job market.

2. McPherson

Population: 13,205
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Securing the second position, McPherson boasts a favorable unemployment rate of 2.9%, showcasing its appeal for job seekers.

3. Leawood

Population: 32,842
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Leawood takes the bronze medal with a 3.6% unemployment rate, reflecting its strong economic environment.

4. Derby

Population: 23,419
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Ranked fourth, Derby has a population of 23,419 and a solid unemployment rate of 3.8%, making it a viable option for job seekers.

5. Shawnee

Population: 63,597
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Shawnee holds the fifth position with a population of 63,597 and a commendable unemployment rate of 4.4%, providing a robust job market.

6. Overland Park

Population: 178,945
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Overland Park ranks sixth with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, demonstrating a strong job market for its sizable population.

7. Lenexa

Population: 49,573
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Lenexa takes the seventh spot with a 4.5% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market.

8. Andover

Population: 12,113
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Andover ranks eighth with a competitive unemployment rate of 4.6%, attracting potential residents and job seekers alike.

9. Lansing

Population: 11,535
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
Lansing secures the ninth position with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, making it an appealing option for those seeking employment.

10. Hays

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 20,886
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Completing our list, Hays ranks tenth with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. While it may be the last on this list, it’s still among the top 10 of 37 cities analyzed.

Conclusion: Unemployment Trends in Kansas

In summary, these are the ten cities in Kansas with the lowest unemployment rates, each demonstrating strong job markets and opportunities for residents.

If you’re considering a move to Kansas and want to prioritize job prospects, these cities should be at the top of your list.

For additional information on cities and states across the U.S., visit www.zippia.com. If you’re a recent college graduate looking to relocate, check out which states are popular among graduates for job opportunities.

Here’s a quick look at cities in Kansas with the highest unemployment rates:

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Kansas

City	Rank	Unemployment
Prairie Village	1	2.6%
McPherson	2	2.9%
Leawood	3	3.6%
Derby	4	3.8%
Shawnee	5	4.4%
Overland Park	6	4.4%
Lenexa	7	4.5%
Andover	8	4.6%
Lansing	9	4.7%
Hays	10	4.8%
Garden City	11	4.9%
Merriam	12	5.0%
Olathe	13	5.1%
Salina	14	5.3%
Haysville	15	5.3%
Manhattan	16	5.4%
Lawrence	17	5.9%
Winfield	18	5.9%
Newton	19	5.9%
Hutchinson	20	6.0%
El Dorado	21	6.1%
Gardner	22	6.1%
Parsons	23	6.2%
Pittsburg	24	6.3%
Leavenworth	25	6.8%
Dodge City	26	7.5%
Wichita	27	7.6%
Ottawa	28	7.8%
Topeka	29	7.8%
Emporia	30	8.5%
Great Bend	31	8.9%
Junction City	32	9.1%
Liberal	33	9.3%
Atchison	34	9.4%
Coffeyville	35	9.6%
Arkansas City	36	10.3%
Kansas City	37	11.4%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Cities In Kansas With The Lowest Unemployment Rate