March unemployment rate drops in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates dropped in 55 Kentucky counties between March 2016 and March 2017, including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, rose in 53 and stayed the same in 12 counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.1 percent in March 2016 to 6.4 percent in March 2017. This was a 0.1 percent decrease from February’s rate. Whitley County tied Grayson, McCracken, Laurel and Edmonson counties with the 52nd highest March unemployment rate in Kentucky.

Knox County’s unemployment rate fell from 8.6 percent in March 2016 to 8.3 percent in March 2017. Knox County tied Boyd County with the 29th highest March unemployment rate in Kentucky. Knox County’s March unemployment rate was the same as February’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.7 percent in March 2016 to 6.4 percent in March 2017. Laurel County’s March unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than February’s unemployment rate.

Among other neighboring counties, Bell County tied Russell and Lee counties with the 20th highest March unemployment rate with 9.0 percent. McCreary County tied Hickman and Fulton counties with the 33rd highest March unemployment rate in the state with 7.7 percent.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Oldham and Shelby counties, 3.7 percent each; Fayette County, 3.9 percent; Scott County, 4 percent; Spencer and Warren counties, 4.1 percent each; Jessamine County, 4.2 percent; and Allen, Boone, Campbell and Henry counties, 4.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 11.6 percent; Leslie County, 11.5 percent; Knott and Harlan counties, 11 percent each; Letcher County, 10.9 percent; Menifee County, 10.7 percent; Carter County, 10.6 percent; Breathitt County, 10.4 percent; and Lawrence, Lewis and Wolfe counties, 10.3 percent each.

In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.4 percent for March 2017, which was down from 5.5 percent in March 2016 and 5.6 percent for February 2017. The unemployment rate is 4.6 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. The statistics in this story are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 13,613 people with 12,735 employed and 878 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,069,995 people with 1,958,233 employed and 111,762 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.