The Little Apple is apparently not immune to tougher economic times, with the unemployment rate going up this past reporting period. Manhattan had a 4.9 percent rate in January compared to 3.9 the month before and 4.4 percent a year ago. Manhattan can no longer claim the lowest employment rate in the state, with Dodge City showing 3.8, Leawood 4.6, and Garden City the same rate of 4.9. 6.1 percent unemployment was reported in the Manhattan metro area, which includes Geary, Pottawatomie and Riley Counties. The 6.1 percent number is up more than a percentage point from December of 2009’s five percent figure, and last year’s 5.1 percent. The Manhattan metro area is no longer the lowest in the state, with the Lawrence/Douglas county rate at 5.8 percent. Riley County’s 5.1 percent is also more than a percentage point higher than the month before with four percent, Pottawatomie county’s is up a percentage point at 5.9, Clay’s is up more than a percentage point at 5.2, and Geary county’s is up a percentage point at 8.9. Wabaunsee county’s is up nearly two percentage points at 7.5.