Unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Bell, McCreary counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Bell and McCreary counties and stayed the same in Knox and Laurel counties between August 2023 and September 2023, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.1 percent in August 2023 to 4.7 percent in September 2023. Whitley County’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the September 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment remained at 4.6 percent between August 2023 and September 2023. Laurel County’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the September 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate remained at 6.0 between August 2023 and September 2023. Knox County’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the September 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in August 2023 to 5.9 percent in September 2023. Bell County’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the September 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in August 2023 to 5.9 percent in September 2023. McCreary County’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the September 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.3 percent in August 2023 to 4.1 percent in September 2023. Kentucky’s September 2023 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the September 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 119 counties between September 2022 and September 2023, and fell in Hancock County, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.2 percent. It was followed by Carroll County, 3.3 percent; Fayette, Marion, Nelson, Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.4 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Cumberland, Spencer and Washington counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 8.9 percent; Elliott County, 7.5 percent; Leslie and Owsley counties, 7.4 percent each; Breathitt County, 7.3 percent; Carter and Harlan counties, 6.9 percent; Letcher County, 6.7 percent; and Clay and Lewis counties, 6.6 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.1 percent for September 2023, and 3.6 percent for the nation.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,150 people with 13,479 employed and 671 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,029,253 people with 1,945,202 employed and 84,051 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.