Annual unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Annual unemployment rates decreased in 102 Kentucky counties in 2022 – including Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties – increased in 12 and stayed the same in six counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Statewide, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.4 percent in 2021 to 3.9 percent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for Whitley County decreased from 4.8 percent in 2021 to 4.4 percent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for Knox County decreased from 5.9 percent in 2021 to 5.3 percent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for Laurel County decreased from 4.3 percent in 2021 to 4.2 percent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for Bell County decreased from 5.4 percent in 2021 to 5.0 percent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for McCreary County decreased from 5.5 percent in 2021 to 5.2 percent in 2022.

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.

The annual jobless rates for Scott and Woodford counties were the lowest in the commonwealth in 2022 at 3 percent each. It was followed by Boone, Carroll and Fayette counties, 3.1 percent each; Anderson, Cumberland, Jessamine and Todd counties, 3.2 percent each; and Campbell, Harrison, Kenton, Marion, Monroe and Oldham counties, 3.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest annual unemployment rate in 2022 at 10.5 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 8 percent; Breathitt and Martin counties, 7.3 percent each; Lewis County, 7.2 percent; Carter County, 7 percent; Owsley County, 6.9 percent; Leslie County, 6.6 percent; Harlan County, 6.3 percent; and Knott and Letcher counties, 6.1 percent each.

The comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment rate for the state was 3.9 percent for 2022, and 3.6 percent for the nation.

In 2022, 75 counties were above the comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, while 40 were below the state unadjusted rate and five (Boyle, Daviess, Hart, Spencer and Webster counties) were the same rate.

Compared to the national unadjusted 2022 annual rate of 3.6 percent, 91 Kentucky counties had higher 2022 annual rates, while 24 were lower and five (Clark, Gallatin, Henry, Madison and Warren counties) matched it.

Counties with the largest decline in annual unemployment rates from 2021 to 2022 were Harlan County, -1.6 percentage points, Martin County; -1.3 percentage points; Magoffin and Letcher counties, -1 percentage point each; and Leslie, Johnson, Menifee, Livingston and Barren counties, -0.9 percentage points each.

The statistics listed above are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and counties figures.