Unemployment rate drops locally, across state

Unemployment rates fell in 107 Kentucky counties between November 2017 and November 2018, including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, rose in nine, and stayed the same in four counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

For the first time since October 2000, Kentucky did not have any counties with an unemployment rate of 10 percent or above.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 percent in November 2017 to 4.2 percent in November 2018. Whitley County’s November unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.8 percent in November 2017 to 4.3 percent in November 2018. Laurel County’s November unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.3 percent in November 2017 to 5.0 percent in November 2018. Knox County’s November unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.0 percent in November 2017 to 4.8 percent in November 2018. Bell County’s November unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than October’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in November 2018 to 4.7 percent in November 2018. McCreary County’s November unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than October’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.5 percent. It was followed by Boone, Fayette, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 2.7 percent each; Campbell and Kenton counties, 2.8 percent each; and Anderson and Todd counties, 2.9 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.9 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 6.7 percent; Lewis County, 6.2 percent; Elliott County, 6.1 percent; Wolfe County, 6 percent; Casey and Harlan counties, 5.9 percent each; Breathitt and Clay counties, 5.7 percent each; and Jackson, Lawrence, Leslie and Owsley counties, 5.6 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 3.5 percent for November 2018, and 3.5 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.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,096 people with 13,504 employed and 592 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,064,591 people with 1,991,858 employed and 72,733 unemployed.

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