Unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between March 2022 and April 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 4.1 percent in March 2022 to 3.7 percent in April 2022. Whitley County’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the April 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 3.9 percent in March 2022 to 3.4 in April 2022. Laurel County’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than the April 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in March 2022 to 4.8 percent in April 2022. Knox County’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the April 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.1 percent in March 2022 to 4.3 percent in April 2022. Bell County’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the April 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in March 2022 to 4.5 percent in April 2022. McCreary County’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the April 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.2 percent in March 2022 to 3.4 percent in April 2022. Kentucky’s April 2022 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the April 2021 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.5 percent. It was followed by Cumberland and Oldham counties, 2.6 percent each; Henry, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 2.7 percent each; Anderson, Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Harrison, Logan, Monroe, Simpson and Washington counties, 2.8 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.5 percent. It was followed by Breathitt County, 7.6 percent; Elliott County, 7.5 percent; Martin County, 7.3 percent; Owsley County, 6.7 percent; Leslie County, 6.6 percent; Carter County, 6.5 percent; Lewis County 6.4 percent; Harlan County, 6.2 percent; and Floyd and Johnson counties, 5.7 percent each.

Unemployment rates rose in seven Kentucky counties, fell in 110 counties, and stayed the same in three counties between April 2021 and April 2022, 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 3.4 percent for April 2022, and 3.3 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 14,462 people with 13,920 employed and 542 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,055,669 people with 1,985,678 employed and 69,991 unemployed.

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