Unemployment rate drops across region, state

Unemployment rates fell in 115 Kentucky counties between August 2017 and August 2018, rose in Owen, Monroe and Metcalfe counties, and stayed the same in Nelson and Lyon 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 5.8 percent in August 2017 to 4.9 percent in August 2018. Whitley County’s August unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than July’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in August 2017 to 5.0 percent in August 2018. Laurel County’s August unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than July’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.8 percent in August 2017 to 5.9 percent in August 2018. Knox County’s August unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than July’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.1 percent in August 2017 to 6.2 percent in August 2018. Bell County’s August unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than July’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.3 percent in August 2017 to 5.7 percent in August 2018. McCreary County’s August unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than July’s rate.

Boone, Campbell and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the Commonwealth at 3.1 percent each. The three counties were followed by Fayette, Kenton and Oldham counties, 3.2 percent each; Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 3.3 percent each; and Jessamine and Washington counties, 3.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.7 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 8.9 percent; Elliott County, 7.8 percent; Harlan County, 7.5 percent; Owsley County, 7.2 percent; Clay, Knott and Leslie counties, 6.9 percent each; Breathitt County, 6.7 percent; and Lewis and Wolfe counties, 6.6 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 4.1 percent for August 2018, 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 13,947 people with 13,270 employed and 677 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,056,845 people with 1,972,506 employed and 84,339 unemployed.

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