Unemployment declined in most of Kentucky

Unemployment rates fell in 119 Kentucky counties between December 2015 and December 2016, but rose in Lyon County (6.3 percent in December 2015 to 6.6 percent in December 2016), according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Only Magoffin and Leslie counties had double-digit rates for December 2016.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.1 percent in December 2015 to 5.7 percent in December 2016. This was a 0.4 percent increase from November’s rate. Whitley County tied Marshall County with the 43rd highest December unemployment rate in Kentucky.

Knox County’s unemployment rate fell from 8.6 percent in December 2015 to 6.8 percent in December 2016. Knox County had the 29th highest December unemployment rate in Kentucky. Knox County’s December unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.5 percent in December 2015 to 5.4 percent in December 2016. Laurel County tied Trigg, Edmonson and Lincoln counties with the 51st highest December unemployment rate in Kentucky. Laurel County’s December unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than November’s unemployment rate.

Among other neighboring counties, Bell County tied Livingston County with the 22nd highest December unemployment rate with 7.5 percent. McCreary County had the 34th highest December unemployment rate in the state with 6.5 percent.
Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.9 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 3 percent; Fayette County, 3.1 percent; Shelby County, 3.2 percent; Scott and Warren counties, 3.3 percent each; Boone and Jessamine counties, 3.4 percent each; and Anderson and Campbell counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.5 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 10.2 percent; Elliott County, 9.7 percent; Harlan County, 9.5 percent; Lawrence and Letcher counties, 9.2 percent each; Carter and Wolfe counties, 9.1 percent each; Floyd County, 8.8 percent; and Pike County, 8.7 percent.

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 4.5 percent for December 2016, which was down from 5.5 percent in December 2015, but up 0.4 percent from November’s rate. The unemployment rate is 4.5 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 13,189 people with 12,442 employed and 747 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,012,099 people with 1,921,533 employed and 90,566 unemployed.

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