Unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between June 2022 and July 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 4.8 percent in June 2022 to 4.7 percent in July 2022. Whitley County’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the July 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 4.5 percent in June 2022 to 4.4 in July 2022. Laurel County’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than the July 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.0 percent in June 2022 to 5.8 percent in July 2022. Knox County’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the July 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.7 percent in June 2022 to 5.5 percent in July 2022. Bell County’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the July 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.7 percent in June 2022 to 5.6 percent in July 2022. McCreary County’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the July 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 percent between June 2022 and July 2022. Kentucky’s July 2022 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the July 2021 rate.

Cumberland and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3 percent each. It was followed by Oldham and Scott counties, 3.2 percent each; Anderson, Boone and Fayette counties, 3.3 percent each; Jessamine County, 3.4 percent; and Bourbon, Campbell, Carroll, Harrison, Kenton, Marion, Monroe, Pendleton, Todd and Washington counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.2 percent. It was followed by Breathitt County, 9.1 percent; Elliott County, 8.9 percent; Martin County, 8.8 percent; Carter County, 8.4 percent; Leslie County, 7.9 percent; Harlan, Lewis and Owsley counties, 7.5 percent each; and Knott County, 7.2 percent.

Unemployment rates fell in 117 counties between July 2021 and July 2022 and rose in three, 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 4.2 percent for July 2022, and 3.8 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 14,267 people with 13,597 employed and 670 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,066,393 people with 1,980,562 employed and 85,831 unemployed.

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