Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between June 2023 and July 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 increased from 5.3 percent in June 2023 to 5.5 percent in July 2023. Whitley County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 4.9 percent in June 2023 to 5.0 in July 2023. Laurel County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in June 2023 to 6.6 percent in July 2023. Knox County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.3 percent in June 2023 to 6.5 percent in July 2023. Bell County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in June 2023 to 6.7 percent in July 2023. McCreary County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in June 2023 to 4.6 percent in July 2023. Kentucky’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the July 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 98 counties between July 2022 and July 2023, fell in 17, and stayed the same in five counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Carroll County, 3.6 percent; Cumberland and Washington counties, 3.7 percent each; Anderson, Boone, Nelson, Oldham, Scott and Spencer counties, 3.8 percent each.

Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.5 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 9.7 percent; Carter and Elliott counties, 8.8 percent each; Breathitt County, 8.6 percent; Lewis and Owsley counties, 8.3 percent each; Leslie County, 8.1 percent; Knott County, 7.8 percent; and Harlan County, 7.7 percent.

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 4.6 percent for July 2023, 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 14,086 people with 13,305 employed and 781 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,042,319 people with 1,948,436 employed and 93,883 unemployed.

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