Unemployment rate drops in 119 counties

Unemployment rates fell in 119 Kentucky counties between November 2015 and November 2016, and stayed the same in Carlisle County, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. In addition, for the first time since December 2007, only one county, Magoffin (12.2 percent), had a double-digit unemployment rate in November 2016.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.1 percent in November 2015 to 5.2 percent in November 2016. This was a 0.7 percent decrease from October’s rate. Whitley County tied Union, Fulton and Graves counties with the 37th highest November unemployment rate in Kentucky.

Knox County’s unemployment rate fell from 8.4 percent in November 2015 to 6.3 percent in November 2016. Knox County tied Boyd County with the 24th highest November unemployment rate in Kentucky. Knox County’s November unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.3 percent in November 2015 to 4.8 percent in November 2016. Laurel County tied Estill and Montgomery counties with the 48th highest October unemployment rate in Kentucky. Laurel County’s November unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

Among other neighboring counties, Bell County tied Ballard and Lee counties with the 19th highest November unemployment rate with 6.7 percent. McCreary County had the 31st highest November unemployment rate in the state with 5.8 percent.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.6 percent. It was followed by Oldham County, 2.7 percent; Fayette and Shelby counties, 2.8 percent each; Scott and Warren counties, 3 percent; and Anderson, Boone, Jessamine, Spencer and Washington counties, 3.1 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.2 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 9.5 percent; Harlan County, 9 percent; Letcher County, 8.6 percent; Elliott County, 8.3 percent; Floyd County, 8.2 percent; Knott, Lawrence and Pike counties, 8 percent each; and Clay County, 7.8 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 4.0 percent for November 2016, and 4.4 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 13,128 people with 12,446 employed and 682 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,003,531 people with 1,923,212 employed and 80,319 unemployed.

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