Unemployment rates decrease in Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between July 2023 and August 2023, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent in July 2023 to 5.1 percent in August 2023. Whitley County’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the August 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 5.1 percent in July 2023 to 4.7 in August 2023. Laurel County’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the August 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.6 percent in July 2023 to 6.1 percent in August 2023. Knox County’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the August 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent in July 2023 to 6.1 percent in August 2023. Bell County’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the August 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.8 percent in July 2023 to 6.2 percent in August 2023. McCreary County’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the August 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in July 2023 to 4.3 percent in August 2023. Kentucky’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the August 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 105 counties between August 2022 and August 2023, fell in eight, and stayed the same in seven counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.3 percent. It was followed by Marion, Shelby and Washington counties, 3.4 percent each; Anderson, Carroll, Cumberland and Nelson counties, 3.5 percent each; and Boone, Caldwell, Fayette, Henry, Oldham, Scott and Spencer counties, 3.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.8 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 9.4 percent; Carter County, 8.2 percent’ Leslie County, 7.9 percent; Elliott County, 7.8 percent; Breathitt County, 7.6 percent; Owsley County, 7.5 percent; Harlan County, 7.4 percent; Lewis County, 7.1 percent; and Knott County, 6.9 percent.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.3 percent for August 2023, 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 14,076 people with 13,359 employed and 717 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,034,242 people with 1,947,659 employed and 86,583 unemployed.

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