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Kiowa County – Unemployment History 2024

Unemployment Word Cloud

Unemployment statistics are among the most critical indicators used to assess the health and stability of a local economy. These statistics provide valuable insights into labor market conditions, economic growth, and social well-being, helping policymakers, businesses, and researchers make informed decisions. Understanding unemployment trends allows stakeholders to identify economic strengths, weaknesses, and necessary interventions to foster sustainable development.

  1. Measuring Economic Health Unemployment rates serve as a barometer for the overall economic performance of a local economy. A low unemployment rate typically indicates a robust economy where businesses are expanding, consumer spending is strong, and job opportunities are plentiful. Conversely, high unemployment suggests economic distress, such as business closures, reduced consumer demand, or industrial decline. By tracking these trends, economists and local governments can gauge whether the economy is growing, stagnating, or contracting.

  2. Informing Policy Decisions Governments and policymakers rely on unemployment data to design and implement effective economic strategies. For instance, if a local economy experiences rising unemployment, policymakers might introduce job training programs, tax incentives for businesses, or infrastructure projects to stimulate employment. Conversely, if unemployment is too low, it may signal labor shortages, prompting policies that encourage workforce participation, such as childcare support or immigration adjustments. Without accurate unemployment statistics, policymakers would struggle to address labor market challenges effectively.

  3. Assessing Labor Market Dynamics Unemployment statistics reveal more than just joblessness-they highlight structural issues within the labor market. For example:
    • Frictional Unemployment (short-term joblessness due to workers transitioning between jobs) indicates a dynamic economy with fluid job mobility.
    • Structural Unemployment (mismatches between workers' skills and job openings) suggests a need for education and retraining programs.
    • Cyclical Unemployment (job losses due to economic downturns) calls for stimulus measures to revive demand.


    By analyzing these categories, local leaders can tailor workforce development initiatives to address specific labor market inefficiencies.

  4. Impact on Consumer Spending and Business Confidence Employment levels directly influence consumer spending, which drives local economic activity. High unemployment reduces disposable income, leading to lower retail sales, decreased tax revenues, and potential business cutbacks. Conversely, low unemployment boosts consumer confidence and spending, encouraging business expansion and investment. Businesses also monitor unemployment trends to assess labor availability and plan hiring strategies accordingly.

  5. Identifying Regional Disparities Unemployment statistics help identify disparities between different regions, industries, or demographic groups within a local economy. For example, certain areas may suffer from higher unemployment due to the decline of a dominant industry (e.g., manufacturing), while others thrive in growing sectors (e.g., technology). Similarly, youth or minority unemployment rates may be disproportionately high, signaling the need for targeted social and economic programs.

  6. Influencing Investment and Development Investors and developers use unemployment data to assess the viability of local markets. A high-unemployment region may deter investment due to reduced consumer demand, whereas areas with strong employment growth attract businesses and infrastructure projects. Municipalities can leverage favorable unemployment statistics to promote economic development and attract new industries.


Conclusion

Unemployment statistics are indispensable for understanding the local economy's dynamics, strengths, and challenges. They guide policy formulation, highlight labor market inefficiencies, influence business and consumer behavior, and help address socioeconomic disparities. By continuously monitoring and analyzing unemployment trends, local economies can implement proactive measures to ensure stability, growth, and equitable opportunities for all residents.

 
Quarter
Labor Pool
Employed
Unemployed
    Unemployment Rate %
     
1990 Q1 72870820  2.7  bar
Q2 87084030  3.4  bar
Q3 86784918  2.1  bar
Q4 75874612  1.6  bar
 
1991 Q1 67965821  3.1  bar
Q2 84180833  3.9  bar
Q3 91687145  4.9  bar
Q4 77073733  4.3  bar
 
1992 Q1 79476727  3.4  bar
Q2 80275844  5.5  bar
Q3 88384043  4.9  bar
Q4 78475628  3.6  bar
 
1993 Q1 75773522  2.9  bar
Q2 77276012  1.6  bar
Q3 88186318  2.0  bar
Q4 85083515  1.8  bar
 
1994 Q1 77676511  1.4  bar
Q2 7627566  0.8  bar
Q3 91990217  1.8  bar
Q4 89788017  1.9  bar
 
1995 Q1 84482420  2.4  bar
Q2 86884424  2.8  bar
Q3 92790918  1.9  bar
Q4 87885622  2.5  bar
 
1996 Q1 84382518  2.1  bar
Q2 85282428  3.3  bar
Q3 85683620  2.3  bar
Q4 86284913  1.5  bar
 
1997 Q1 82280319  2.3  bar
Q2 87185912  1.4  bar
Q3 89187318  2.0  bar
Q4 92391013  1.4  bar
 
1998 Q1 91589322  2.4  bar
Q2 89387320  2.2  bar
Q3 93791126  2.8  bar
Q4 87785720  2.3  bar
 
1999 Q1 87582550  5.7  bar
Q2 93889345  4.8  bar
Q3 92688640  4.3  bar
Q4 79075931  3.9  bar
 
2000 Q1 71468529  4.1  bar
Q2 78576124  3.1  bar
Q3 85583025  2.9  bar
Q4 79777522  2.8  bar
 
2001 Q1 75874018  2.4  bar
Q2 83180922  2.6  bar
Q3 87885028  3.2  bar
Q4 1,0941,06034  3.1  bar
 
2002 Q1 1,00196635  3.5  bar
Q2 90587629  3.2  bar
Q3 94189744  4.7  bar
Q4 98694244  4.5  bar
 
2003 Q1 97292646  4.7  bar
Q2 83178645  5.4  bar
Q3 97592649  5.0  bar
Q4 86181942  4.9  bar
 
2004 Q1 91486153  5.8  bar
Q2 97792651  5.2  bar
Q3 94890642  4.4  bar
Q4 76472440  5.2  bar
 
2005 Q1 87483143  4.9  bar
Q2 84180734  4.0  bar
Q3 90386637  4.1  bar
Q4 89186229  3.3  bar
 
2006 Q1 80977435  4.3  bar
Q2 86784027  3.1  bar
Q3 96693828  2.9  bar
Q4 82879830  3.6  bar
 
2007 Q1 89686828  3.1  bar
Q2 85283220  2.3  bar
Q3 93591322  2.4  bar
Q4 95192823  2.4  bar
 
2008 Q1 88585233  3.7  bar
Q2 60757829  4.8  bar
Q3 1,00897434  3.4  bar
Q4 99496628  2.8  bar
 
2009 Q1 91387043  4.7  bar
Q2 85280448  5.6  bar
Q3 1,0501,00743  4.1  bar
Q4 1,1901,15139  3.3  bar
 
2010 Q1 75469460  8.0  bar
Q2 73368152  7.1  bar
Q3 78573550  6.4  bar
Q4 77272547  6.1  bar
 
2011 Q1 74969653  7.1  bar
Q2 79775542  5.3  bar
Q3 85881642  4.9  bar
Q4 86082238  4.4  bar
 
2012 Q1 77473638  4.9  bar
Q2 78174635  4.5  bar
Q3 84180140  4.8  bar
Q4 82578738  4.6  bar
 
2013 Q1 74069842  5.7  bar
Q2 72669531  4.3  bar
Q3 78975633  4.2  bar
Q4 77774631  4.0  bar
 
2014 Q1 66663927  4.1  bar
Q2 70768126  3.7  bar
Q3 76373627  3.5  bar
Q4 79276923  2.9  bar
 
2015 Q1 73571322  3.0  bar
Q2 78176120  2.6  bar
Q3 82580223  2.8  bar
Q4 76474717  2.2  bar
 
2016 Q1 78977514  1.8  bar
Q2 77576114  1.8  bar
Q3 88386815  1.7  bar
Q4 87585619  2.2  bar
 
2017 Q1 89487915  1.7  bar
Q2 92391013  1.4  bar
Q3 93791819  2.0  bar
Q4 96895117  1.8  bar
 
2018 Q1 90889315  1.7  bar
Q2 89788314  1.6  bar
Q3 99097317  1.7  bar
Q4 97496014  1.4  bar
 
2019 Q1 88186615  1.7  bar
Q2 93792215  1.6  bar
Q3 99398013  1.3  bar
Q4 1,0601,04416  1.5  bar
 
2020 Q1 79577916  2.0  bar
Q2 77675719  2.4  bar
Q3 79477717  2.1  bar
Q4 90388419  2.1  bar
 
2021 Q1 79075139  4.9  bar
Q2 75571936  4.8  bar
Q3 77974237  4.7  bar
Q4 81879325  3.1  bar
 
2022 Q1 72270022  3.0  bar
Q2 67866414  2.1  bar
Q3 76775017  2.2  bar
Q4 75473915  2.0  bar
 
2023 Q1 63862018  2.8  bar
Q2 68767215  2.2  bar
Q3 71569619  2.7  bar
Q4 76875018  2.3  bar
 
2024 Q1 63661422  3.5  bar
Q2 73672016  2.2  bar
Q3 78475628  3.6  bar
Q4 78675630  3.8  bar
 


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus