Local unemployment rates see little change from February – March

Unemployment rates stayed largely the same in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between February 2022 and March 2022, 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 remained at 4.1 percent between February 2022 and March 2022. Whitley County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the March 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent between February 2022 and March 2022. Laurel County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the March 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.1 percent in February 2022 to 5.2 percent in March 2022. Knox County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 1.6 percent lower than the March 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent between February 2022 and March 2022. Bell County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the March 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.0 percent in February 2022 to 5.2 percent in March 2022. McCreary County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the March 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.0 percent in February 2022 to 4.2 percent in March 2022. Kentucky’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the March 2021 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Scott County, 3 percent; Boone, Fayette and Todd counties, 3.1 percent each; Harrison and Jessamine counties, 3.2 percent each; Logan and Simpson counties, 3.3 percent each; and Anderson, Caldwell, Campbell, Cumberland, Green Kenton, Madison and Monroe counties, 3.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.2 percent. It was followed by Breathitt County, 8.8 percent; Elliott County, 8.6 percent; Martin County, 8 percent; Carter County, 7.6 percent; Lewis County, 7.5 percent; Leslie County, 7.2 percent; Harlan and Owsley counties, 6.9 percent each; and Johnson and Knott counties, 6.5 percent each.

Unemployment rates rose in nine Kentucky counties, fell in 110 counties, and stayed the same in Breathitt County between March 2021 and March 2022, according to the KYSTATS.

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 4.2 percent for March 2022, and 3.8 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 14,400 people with 13,811 employed and 589 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,071,223 people with 1,984,036 employed and 87,187 unemployed.

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