Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between September 2022 and October 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 increased from 3.9 percent in September 2022 to 4.5 percent in October 2022. Whitley County’s October 2022 unemployment rate was the same as the October 2021 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 3.8 percent in September 2022 to 4.3 in October 2022. Laurel County’s October 2022 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the October 2021 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.9 percent in September 2022 to 5.6 percent in October 2022. Knox County’s October 2022 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the October 2021 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in September 2022 to 5.3 percent in October 2022. Bell County’s October 2022 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the October 2021 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in September 2022 to 5.2 percent in October 2022. McCreary County’s October 2022 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the October 2021 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in September 2022 to 3.9 percent in October 2022. Kentucky’s October 2022 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the October 2021 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3 percent. It was followed by Cumberland and Oldham counties, 3.1 percent each; Henry, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.2 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Bullitt, Carroll, Fayette, Marion and Spencer counties, 3.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 8 percent; Breathitt, Elliott and Owsley counties, 7.6 percent each; Leslie County, 7.1 percent; Harlan and Knott counties, 6.7 percent each; and Letcher and Lewis counties, 6.6 percent each.

Unemployment rates fell in 91 counties between October 2021 and October 2022, rose in 18, and stayed the same in 11 counties, 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 3.9 percent for October 2022, and 3.4 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 14,302 people with 13,656 employed and 646 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,055,306 people with 1,975,140 employed and 80,166 unemployed.

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