Unemployment rates continue to drop locally

Unemployment rates fell in 117 Kentucky counties between May 2017 and May 2018, rose in Owen and Spencer counties and remained the same in Oldham County, 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 6.1 percent in May 2017 to 4.8 percent in May 2018. Whitley County’s May unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than April’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.0 percent in May 2017 to 4.7 percent in May 2018. Laurel County’s May unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than April’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.9 percent in May 2017 to 6.1 percent in May 2018. Knox County’s May unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than April’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.2 percent in May 2017 to 6.3 percent in May 2018. Bell County’s May unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than April’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.6 percent in May 2017 to 5.4 percent in May 2018. McCreary County’s May unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than April’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.9 percent. It was followed by Campbell and Scott counties, 3.1 percent each; Boone and Fayette counties, 3.2 percent each; Allen, Kenton and Warren counties, 3.3 percent each; and Marion and Shelby counties, 3.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 7.6 percent; Carter County, 7.4 percent; Harlan County, 7.3 percent; Lewis, Owsley and Wayne counties, 7.1 percent each; Leslie County, 7 percent; Ballard County, 6.9 percent; and Livingston County, 6.8 percent.

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 4.2 percent for May 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 13,806 people with 13,139 employed and 667 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,076,198 people with 1,989,604 employed and 86,594 unemployed.

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