Unemployment rates drop locally

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between February 2023 and March 2023, according to the Kentucky Center of Statistics (KYSTATS) an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 percent in February 2023 to 4.0 percent in March 2023. Whitley County’s March 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the March 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.5 percent in February 2023 to 3.8 percent in March 2023. Laurel County’s March 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the March 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.8 percent in February 2023 to 5.0 percent in March 2023. Knox County’s March 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the March 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in February 2023 to 5.3 percent in March 2023. Bell County’s March 2023 unemployment rate stayed the same as the March 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.4 percent in February 2023 to 5.5 percent in March 2023. McCreary County’s March 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the March 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in February 2023 to 3.8 percent in March 2023. Kentucky’s March 2023 was 0.6 percent lower than the March 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates fell in 90 counties between March 2022 and March 2023, rose in 18, and stayed the same in 12 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 2.9 percent; Anderson, Oldham and Scott counties, 3 percent each; Jessamine and Washington counties, 3.1 percent each; and Boone, Carlisle, Carroll and Marion counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.4 percent. It was followed by Elliot County, 8.9 percent; Lewis County, 8 percent; Breathitt County, 7.6 percent; Carter County, 7.4 percent; Martin County, 7.1 percent; Johnson County, 6.4 percent; Leslie and Greenup counties, 6.3 percent each; and Knott County, 6.2 percent.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary March 2023 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet (KELC).

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.8 percent for March 2023, and 3.6 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 14,388 people with 13,812 employed and 576 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,044,827 people with 1,966,980 employed and 77,847 unemployed.

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