February unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between January 2022 and February 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 decreased from 4.4 percent in January 2022 to 4.1 percent in February 2022. Whitley County’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the February 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.1 percent in January 2022 to 3.8 percent in February 2022. Laurel County’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the February 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in January 2022 to 5.1 percent in February 2022. Knox County’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent lower than the February 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in January 2022 to 5.1 percent in February 2022. Bell County’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the February 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in January 2022 to 4.9 percent in February 2022. McCreary County’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the February 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.5 percent in January 2022 to 4.0 percent in February 2022. Kentucky’s February 2022 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the February 2021 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.7 percent. It was followed by Fayette, Oldham, Scott and Todd counties, 3 percent each; and Boone, Jessamine, Logan, Shelby and Simpson counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.7 percent. It was followed by Elliott  County, 11.1 percent; Breathitt County, 9.3 percent; Carter County, 9 percent; Martin County, 8.7 percent; Lewis County, 8.4 percent; Menifee County, 7.3 percent; and Harlan, Lawrence and Leslie counties, 7.1 percent each.

Unemployment rates rose in six counties, fell in 112 counties, and stayed the same in two counties between February 2021 and February 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 percent for February 2022, and 4.1 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 14,257 people with 13,675 employed and 582 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,048,528 people with 1,966,254 employed and 82,274 unemployed.

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