Wilson County

Unemployment in Wilson County jumped to 5.4% in May 2026—the highest rate among Kansas counties and well above the state average of 3.7%. The spike represents a 1.1 percentage-point surge in a single month and marks the first time the county has crossed the 5% threshold economists monitor as an indicator of labor market stress. Over the past year, the jobless rate has swung sharply, ranging from a low of 4.2% in April to peaks of 6% in January and February.

The labor market turbulence stands in contrast to one bright spot: home values have recovered 10.9% from their March low of $96,399, climbing to $106,935 as of mid-July. The housing rebound has held steady for four consecutive readings, suggesting stabilization in the residential market even as employment deteriorates.

The concentration of employment signals—a spike, a milestone breach, and a comparative ranking—points to a county experiencing measurable workforce disruption. Local reporters should investigate whether recent layoffs or seasonal factors are driving the unemployment jump, and whether the divergence between rising home prices and falling employment reflects underlying economic shifts in the county's job base or workforce composition.