June unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Laurel, Knox counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between May 2022 and June 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 4.0 percent in May 2022 to 4.8 percent in June 2022. Whitley County’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the June 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 3.8 percent in May 2022 to 4.5 in June 2022. Laurel County’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the June 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.1 percent in May 2022 to 6.0 percent in June 2022. Knox County’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent lower than the June 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.7 percent in May 2022 to 5.7 percent in June 2022. Bell County’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent lower than the June 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in May 2022 to 5.7 percent in June 2022. McCreary County’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.6 percent lower than the June 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.8 percent in May 2022 to 4.2 percent in June 2022. Kentucky’s June 2022 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent lower than the June 2021 rate.

Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.1 percent. It was followed by Cumberland County, 3.2 percent; Scott, Spencer and Woodford Counties, 3.3 percent each; Boone and Shelby counties, 3.4 percent each; and Anderson, Fayette, Henry and Washington counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.1 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 9.3 percent; Breathitt County, 9.1 percent; Martin County, 8.8 percent; Carter County, 8.2 percent; Leslie County, 8.1 percent; Owsley County, 7.9 percent; Harlan County, 7.7 percent; Lewis County, 7.6 percent; and Knott County, 7.2 percent.

Unemployment rates fell in 119 counties between June 2021 and June 2022 and remained the same in Robertson County, 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 4.2 percent  for June 2022, 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 14,438 people with 13,752 employed and 686 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,075,612 people with 1,988,600 employed and 87,012 unemployed.

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