April unemployment rate shows further decrease

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between March 2023 and April 2023, according to the Kentucky Center of Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.0 percent in March 2023 to 3.7 percent in April 2023. Whitley County’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the April 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8 percent in March 2023 to 3.4 percent in April 2023. Laure County’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the April 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.0 percent in March 2023 to 4.4 percent in April 2023. Knox County’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the April 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.3 percent in March 2023 to 4.5 percent in April 2023. Bell County’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the April 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in March 2023 to 4.3 percent in April 2023. McCreary County’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the April 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8 percent in March 2023 to 3.2 percent in April 2023. Kentucky’s April 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the April 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates fell in 78 counties between April 2022 than April 2023, rose in 25, and stayed the same in 17 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.4 percent. It was followed by Caldwell, Carroll, and Oldham counties, 2.5 percent each; and Anderson, Fayette, Henry, Nelson, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, and Washington counties, 2.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 7.3 percent; Martin County, 6.9 percent; Elliott County, 6.7 percent; Carter County, 6.5 percent; Breathitt County, 5.8 percent; Greenup County, 5.7 percent; Johnson County, 5.6 percent; and Knott and Letcher counties, 5.4 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.2% for April 2023, and 3.1% 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. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,217 people with 13,692 employed and 525 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,055,195 people with 1,988,411 employed and 66,784 unemployed.

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