Unemployment rate falls locally, in 110 total counties

Unemployment rates fell in 110 Kentucky counties between July 2017 and July 2018 –including: Whitley, Laurel and Knox counties – and rose in 10 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 6.5 percent in July 2017 to 5.7 percent in July 2018. Whitley County’s July unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than June’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.3 percent in July 2017 to 5.7 percent in July 2018. Laurel County’s July unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than June’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.1 percent in July 2017 to 7.1 percent in July 2018. Knox County’s July unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than June’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.5 percent in July 2017 to 7.2 percent in July 2018. Bell County’s July unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than June’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.1 percent in July 2017 to 6.9 percent in July 2018. McCreary County’s July unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than June’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Campbell County, 3.6 percent; Boone and Kenton counties, 3.7 percent each; Fayette, Oldham and Scott counties, 3.8 percent each; Jessamine County, 4 percent; and Allen and Simpson counties, 4.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.8 percent. It was followed by Carter County, 9.7 percent; Elliott County, 9.4 percent; Wolfe County, 9.1 percent; Leslie County, 8.8 percent; Harlan County, 8.5 percent; Clay and Knott counties, 8.1 percent each; and Breathitt, Jackson, Lawrence and Owsley counties, 8 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 4.9 percent for July 2018, and 4.1 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 14,124 people with 13,320 employed and 804 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,091,128 people with 1,988,478 employed and 102,650 unemployed.

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