Unemployment rates drop locally, across the state

Unemployment rates fell in 89 Kentucky counties between April 2018 and April 2019 – including Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties – rose in 21 and stayed the same in 10 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 4.6 percent in April 2018 to 4.4 percent in April 2019. Whitley County’s April unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than March’s unemployment rate.

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in April 2018 to 4.3 percent in April 2019. Laurel County’s April unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than March’s unemployment rate.

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.9 percent in April 2018 to 5.5 percent in April 2019. Knox County’s April unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than March’s unemployment rate.

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent in April 2018 to 5.1 percent in April 2019. Bell County’s April unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than March’s unemployment rate.

McCreary County’s unemployment decreased from 6.2 percent in April 2018 to 5.3 percent in April 2019. McCreary County’s April unemployment rate was 1.7 percent lower than March’s rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.7 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 2.9 percent; Boone, Campbell and Oldham, counties, 3 percent each; Kenton, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1 percent each; Anderson County, 3.2 percent; and Franklin, Jessamine, Spencer and Warren counties, 3.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.5 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 8.6 percent; Carter County, 7 percent; Menifee County, 6.7 percent; Harlan County, 6.6 percent; Lawrence County, 6.5 percent; Breathitt and Owsley counties, 6.3 percent each; and Knott and Wolfe counties, 6.2 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 3.9 percent for April 2019, 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 13,890 people with 13,282 employed and 608 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,068,545 people with 1,988,824 employed and 79,721 unemployed.

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