Unemployment rates decrease in Whitley, Knox, and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell and McCreary counties between September 2023 and October 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 4.8 percent in September 2023 to 4.2 percent in October 2023. Whitley County’s October 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the October 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 4.6 percent in September 2023 to 4.1 percent in October 2023. Laurel County’s October 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the October 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.0 percent in September 2023 to 5.4 percent in October 2023. Knox County’s October 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the October 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.9 percent in September 2023 to 5.2 percent in October 2023. Bell County’s October 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the October 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.9 percent in September 2023 to 5.2 percent in October 2023. McCreary County’s October 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the October 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.1 percent in September 2023 to 3.8 percent in October 2023. Kentucky’s October 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the October 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 31 counties between October 2022 and October 2023, fell in 59, and remained the same in 30 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Carroll, Cumberland and Marion counties, 3 percent each; and Anderson, Fayette, Nelson, Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1 percent each.

Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 7.6 percent; Leslie County, 6.6 percent; Owsley County, 6.5 percent; Breathitt County, 6.4 percent; Harlan County, 6.2 percent; Elliott County, 6.1 percent; and Clay, Letcher and Lewis counties, 6 percent each.

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 3.8 percent for October 2023, 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 14,149 people with 13,554 employed and 595 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,029,926 people with 1,953,659 employed and 76,267 unemployed.

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