April unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Laurel and Knox counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between March 2024 and April 2024, 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 5.9 percent in March 2024 to 4.9 percent in April 2024. Whitley County’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 5.4 percent in March 2024 to 4.9 percent in April 2024. Laurel County’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.0 percent in March 2024 to 6.2 percent in April 2024. Knox County’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.6 percent in March 2024 to 5.7 percent in April 2024. Bell County’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.3 percent in March 2024 to 5.8 percent in April 2024. McCreary County’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.1 percent in March 2024 to 4.3 percent in April 2024. Kentucky’s April 2024 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the April 2023 unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 118 counties between April 2023 and April 2024 and fell in Ballard and Lewis counties, according to KYSTATS.

Washington and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3.2 percent each. It was followed by Fayette, Marion and Oldham counties, 3.4 percent each; Scott and Shelby counties, 3.5 percent each; and Anderson, Bourbon, Carroll, Jessamine and Spencer counties, 3.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 9.1 percent; Pike County, 8.1 percent; Breathitt County, 7.9 percent; Leslie County, 7.7 percent; Carter County, 7.6 percent; Elliott and Lewis counties, 7.5 percent each; Johnson County, 7.2 percent; and Clay and Knott counties, 7 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 4.3 percent for April 2024, and 3.5 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 13,696 people with 13,022 employed and 674 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,052,931 people with 1,963,913 employed and 89,018 unemployed.

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