November unemployment rates decrease in Knox, Laurel, Whitley counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between October 2021 and November 2021, 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 4.0 percent in October 2021 to 3.0 percent in November 2021. Whitley County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.8 percent lower than the November 2020 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.7 percent in October 2021 to 2.8 percent in November 2021. Laurel County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.1 percent lower than the November 2020 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in October 2021 to 4.0 percent in November 2021. Knox County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.7 percent lower than the November 2020 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in Ocotober 2021 to 3.6 percent in November 2021. Bell County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.2 percent lower than the November 2020 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.3 in October 2021 to 3.2 percent in November 2021. McCreary County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.6 percent lower than the November 2020 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.7 percent in October 2021 to 3.0 percent in November 2021. Kentucky’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 2.1 percent lower than the November 2020 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2 percent. It was followed by Scott County 2.2 percent; Boone, Cumberland, Oldham, Taylor and Todd counties, 2.3 percent each; and Carlisle, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine and Logan counties, 2.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.0 percent. It was followed by Breathitt County, 7 percent; Martin County, 6.3 percent; Harlan County, 5.8 percent; Elliott County, 5.6 percent; Leslie County, 5.5 percent; Letcher County, 5.3 percent; Floyd and Lewis counties, 5.2 percent each; and Carter and Johnson counties, 5 percent each.

Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between November 2020 and November 2021, according to KYSTATS.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.0 percent for November 2021, and 3.9 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 14,134 people with 13,705 employed and 429 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,014,022 people with 1,952,891 employed and 61,131 unemployed.

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