Local May unemployment rates increase slightly since April

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between April 2022 and May 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 increased from 3.8 percent in April 2022 to 4.0 percent in May 2022. Whitley County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the May 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 3.4 percent in April 2022 to 3.8 in May 2022. Laurel County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than the May 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.8 percent in April 2022 to 5.1 percent in May 2022. Knox County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than the May 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.2 percent in April 2022 to 4.6 percent in May 2022. Bell County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the May 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in April 2022 to 4.7 percent in May 2022. McCreary County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the May 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in April 2022 to 3.8 percent in May 2022. Kentucky’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the May 2021 rate.

Cumberland and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 2.6 percent each. It was followed by Scott County, 2.8 percent; Anderson, Boone, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine and Monroe counties, 2.9 percent each; and Carroll, Logan, Simpson, Todd and Washington counties, 3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.9 percent. It was followed by Breathitt and Martin counties, 7.8 percent each; Elliott County, 7.3 percent; Leslie County, 6.9 percent; Carter and Owsley counties, 6.7 percent each; Harlan County, 6.5 percent; Lewis County, 6.4 percent; and Johnson County, 6.2 percent.

Unemployment rates rose in nine Kentucky counties, fell in 107 counties, and stayed the same in four counties between May 2021 and May 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 3.8 percent for May 2022, and 3.4 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 14,152 people with 13,587 employed and 565 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,053,474 people with 1,975,240 employed and 78,234 unemployed.

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