September unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between August 2022 and September 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 August 2022 to 3.9 percent in September 2022. Whitley County’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the September 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 4.2 percent in August 2022 to 3.8 in September 2022. Laurel County’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the September 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in August 2022 to 4.9 percent in September 2022. Knox County’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the September 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.1 percent in August 2022 to 4.6 percent in September 2022. Bell County’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the September 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.0 percent in August 2022 to 4.7 percent in September 2022. McCreary County’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the September 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.7 percent in August 2022 to 3.3 percent in September 2022. Kentucky’s September 2022 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the September 2021 rate.

Cumberland and Oldham counties recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.5 percent. They were followed by Scott, Shelby, and Woodford counties, 2.6 percent each; Anderson, Fayette, Henry, and Spencer counties, 2.7 percent each; and Boone, Bullitt, Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties, 2.8 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 7.3 percent; Breathitt County, 7.0 percent; Elliott County, 6.6 percent; Owsley County, 6.5 percent; Leslie and Lewis counties, 6.2 percent each; Carter County, 6.1 percent; and Harlan and Letcher counties, 6 percent each.

Unemployment rates fell in 119 counties between September 2021 and September 2022 and rose in one (Hancock 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 3.3 percent for September 2022, and 3.3 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 14,159 people with 13,613 employed and 546 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,056,631 people with 1,987,853 employed and 68,778 unemployed.

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