Joplin’s unemployment rate will end right around where it began this year.

Despite rising unemployment that was expected to reach the Great Depression level, Joplin will end the year in a similar shape to when it began.

The Joplin area, which encompasses Jasper and Newton counties, reported a 4.1% unemployment rate in November, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

That percentage is down from the 4.2% reported previously in September and October.

November’s tally of unemployment for the Jasper/Newton County area was 3,406 people according to MERIC.