Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Knox, Laurel and Bell counties and stayed the same in McCreary County between October 2023 and November 2023, 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 4.2 percent in October 2023 to 4.3 percent in November 2023. Whitley County’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 4.0 percent in October 2023 to 4.2 percent in November 2023. Laurel County’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.3 percent in October 2023 to 5.4 percent in November 2023. Knox County’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in October 2023 to 5.5 percent in November 2023. Bell County’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.2 percent between October 2023 and November 2023. McCreary County’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.8 percent in October 2023 to 3.9 percent in November 2023. Kentucky’s November 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the November 2022 unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 117 counties between November 2022 and November 2023, fell in Hancock County, and remained the same in Lyon and Marshall counties, according to KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.9 percent. It was followed by Cumberland County, 3 percent; Carroll, Fayette, Marion, Scott and Washington counties, 3.2 percent each; and Anderson, Bourbon, Caldwell, Jessamine, Oldham and Shelby counties, 3.3 percent each.

Magoffin and Martin counties recorded the state’s highest unemployment rates at 8.4 percent each. They were followed by Lewis County, 7.2 percent; Elliott County, 7.1 percent; Owsley County, 7 percent; Breathitt County, 6.9 percent; Russell County, 6.8 percent; Leslie County, 6.7 percent; and Clay and Knott counties, 6.3 percent each.

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 November 2023, and 3.5 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 14,359 people with 13,735 employed and 624 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,029,501 people with 1,949,818 employed and 79,683 unemployed.

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