Local unemployment rates lower than last year, but higher than last month

Unemployment rates fell in 119 Kentucky counties between February 2017 and February 2018 and rose in one (Metcalfe County), according to the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics (KCEWS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent in February 2017 to 5.5 percent in February 2018. Whitley County’s February unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than January’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.7 percent in February 2017 to 5.5 percent in February 2018. Laurel County’s February unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than January’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.3 percent in February 2017 to 6.9 percent in February 2018. Knox County’s February unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than January’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 9.2 percent in February 2017 to 7.0 percent in February 2018. Bell County’s February unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than January’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.5 percent in February 2017 to 7.0 percent in February 2018. McCreary County’s February unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than January’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.3 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 3.5 percent each; Campbell, Marion, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 3.7 percent each; and Boone and Washington counties, 3.8 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 15.2 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 10.9 percent; Menifee County, 10.5 percent; Carter County, 10.1 percent; Lewis County, 9.8 percent; Wolfe County, 8.6 percent; Bath County, 8.4 percent; Lawrence County, 8.3 percent; and Jackson, Lee, Morgan and Owsley counties, 8.2 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 4.7 percent for February 2018, and 4.4 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 13,766 people with 13,006 employed and 760 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,050,759 people with 1,954,632 employed and 96,127 unemployed.

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