Unemployment rates drop in Whitley, Laurel, Knox counties

Unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between February 2018 and February 2019, including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, rose in seven counties, and stayed the same in five counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in February 2018 to 4.9 percent in February 2019. Whitley County’s February unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than January’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in February 2018 to 4.7 percent in February 2019. Laurel County’s February unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than January’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.9 percent in February 2018 to 5.6 percent in February 2019. Knox County’s February unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than January’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.0 percent in February 2018 to 5.8 percent in February 2019. Bell County’s February unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than January’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment decreased from 7.1 percent in February 2018 to 6.2 percent in February 2019. McCreary County’s February unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than January’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 3.2 percent; Oldham and Scott counties, 3.3 percent each; Boone and Shelby counties, 3.4 percent each; and Anderson, Campbell, Kenton and Spencer counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 9.7 percent; Carter County, 9 percent; Menifee County, 8.6 percent; Wolfe County, 8.1 percent; Elliott County, 8 percent; Bath and Livingston counties, 7.3 percent; and Breathitt and Lawrence counties, 7.2 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.3 percent for February 2019, and 4.1 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 13,927 people with 13,244 employed and 683 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,057,073 people with 1,969,384 employed and 87,689 unemployed.

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