Unemployment rate drops locally, across most of state

Unemployment rates fell in 90 Kentucky counties between September 2017 and September 2018 – including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties – rose in 23, and stayed the same in seven 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 5.1 percent in September 2017 to 4.9 percent in September 2018. Whitley County’s September unemployment rate was the same as August’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.3 percent in September 2017 to 5.1 percent in September 2018. Laurel County’s September unemployment rate was the same as August’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.0 percent in September 2017 to 5.9 percent in September 2018. Knox County’s September unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than August’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.0 percent in September 2017 to 6.2 percent in September 2018. Bell County’s September unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than August’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.7 percent in September 2018 to 5.8 percent in September 2018. McCreary County’s September unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than August’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3 percent. It was followed by Campbell County, 3.1 percent; Boone, Fayette and Scott counties, 3.2 percent each; Kenton, Oldham and Warren counties, 3.3 percent each; and Allen, Calloway, Jessamine and Logan counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.7 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 8.2 percent; Elliott County, 7.8 percent; Harlan County, 7.2 percent; Leslie and Owsley counties, 7.1 percent each; Clay County, 6.9 percent; Knott County, 6.7 percent; Breathitt, Jackson, 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 4.3 percent for September 2018, and 3.6 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 13,833 people with 13,155 employed and 678 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,070,045 people with 1,981,997 employed and 88,048 unemployed.

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