Unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Laurel, Knox counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between September 2021 and October 2021, 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 4.2 percent in September 2021 to 4.0 percent in October 2021. Whitley County’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 1.7 percent lower than the October 2020 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8 percent in September 2021 to 3.7 percent in October 2021. Laurel County’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the October 2020 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in September 2021 to 5.1 percent in October 2021. Knox County’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the October 2020 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.8 percent in September 2021 to 4.6 percent in October 2021. Bell County’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the October 2020 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 in September 2021 to 4.4 percent in October 2021. McCreary County’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the October 2020 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.9 percent in September 2021 to 3.7 percent in October 2021. Kentucky’s October 2021 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the October 2020 rate.

Cumberland, Oldham and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 2.7 percent each. They were followed by Shelby County 2.8 percent; and Boone, Green, Henry, Scott, Spencer, Taylor, and Todd counties, 3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.2 percent. It was followed by Breathitt County, 8.8 percent; Martin County, 8.1 percent; Harlan County, 7.5 percent; Elliott and Leslie counties, 6.9 percent each; Letcher County, 6.8 percent; Floyd County, 6.5 percent; Johnson County, 6.3 percent; and Carter, Knott and Owsley counties, 6.2 percent each.

Unemployment rates rose in seven Kentucky counties and fell in 113 counties between October 2020 and October 2021, according to KYSTATS.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.7 percent for October 2021, and 4.3 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 13,938 people with 13,384 employed and 554 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 1,999,061 people with 1,924,855 employed and 74,206 unemployed.

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