Topeka ? Unemployment declined in August because of seasonal trends, and state officials said Friday it was too early to declare the Kansas job market healthy.

The jobless rate declined to 4.5 percent in August, down from a revised 5 percent in July. The decline was in line with seasonal patterns of students returning to classrooms.

“The unemployment rate showed some improvement, but the need for job growth is very real,” said Human Resources Secretary Jim Garner.

Payrolls slipped by 20,660 to 1.4 million in August, while unemployment declined by 8,070 to 66,690. Initial jobless claims fell by nearly 9,000 in August to 11,936. There were 31,298 Kansans receiving benefits, down from more than 38,200 in July.

Statewide, three of the four largest metropolitan areas saw declines in unemployment. Lawrence’s jobless rate was 4.1 percent, down from 4.3 percent in July. The Kansas City metro area fell to 5 percent, down from 5.5 percent a month earlier. The Wichita area’s rate was 6.3 percent, down from 7.3 percent in July.

The exception was Topeka, which rose to 4.4 percent from a revised 4.3 percent in July.

Bill Layes, chief of labor market information for the state, said while numbers were improving, the recession in Kansas hasn’t officially ended.