Tri-county unemployment rate falls

Unemployment rates fell in 69 Kentucky counties between December 2017 and December 2018, including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, rose in 38, and stayed the same in 13 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in December 2017 to 4.4 percent in December 2018. Whitley County’s December unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 percent in December 2017 to 4.5 percent in December 2018. Laurel County’s December unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in December 2017 to 5.3 percent in December 2018. Knox County’s December unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in December 2017 to 5.2 percent in December 2018. Bell County’s December unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate stayed the same at 5.5 percent during December 2017 and December 2018. McCreary County’s December unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than November’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.6 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 2.8 percent each; Shelby and Spencer counties, 2.9 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Scott counties, 3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.3 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 7.8 percent; Elliott County, 7.4 percent; Lewis County, 7.3 percent; Menifee and Wolfe counties, 6.9 percent each; Owsley County, 6.6 percent; Jackson and Lawrence counties, 6.4 percent; and Breathitt and Harlan counties, 6.1 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 3.8 percent for December 2018, and 3.7 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 13,983 people with 13,370 employed and 613 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,054,677 people with 1,976,820 employed and 77,857 unemployed.

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