Unemployment rates decrease in Whitley, Knox, Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between October 2022 and November 2022, 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 4.5 percent in October 2022 to 4.2 percent in November 2022. Whitley County’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the November 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 4.3 percent in October 2022 to 4.0 in November 2022. Laurel County’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the November 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent in October 2022 to 5.3 percent in November 2022. Knox County’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the November 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.3 percent in October 2022 to 5.1 percent in November 2022. Bell County’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the November 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in October 2022 to 4.9 percent in November 2022. McCreary County’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the November 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.9 percent in October 2022 to 3.7 percent in November 2022. Kentucky’s November 2022 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the November 2021 rate.

Oldham and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 2.9 percent. They were followed by Cumberland, Henry, Scott and Shelby counties, 3 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Fayette and Spencer counties, 3.1 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 8 percent; Elliott County, 7.9 percent; Owsley County, 7.4 percent; Breathitt County, 7.3 percent; Lewis County, 7.1 percent; Leslie County, 6.9 percent; Harlan and Knott counties, 6.5 percent each; and Letcher County, 6.4 percent.

Unemployment rates rose in 84 counties between November 2021 and November 2022, fell in 20, and stayed the same in 16 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

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 3.7 percent for November 2022, and 3.4 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 14,331 people with 13,734 employed and 597 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,043,549 people with 1,967,455 employed and 76,094 unemployed.

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