Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between December 2023 and January 2024, 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 4.4 percent in December 2023 to 5.3 percent in January 2024. Whitley County’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 4.1 percent in December 2023 to 5.1 percent in January 2024. Laurel County’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.4 percent in December 2023 to 6.6 percent in January 2024. Knox County’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.3 percent in December 2023 to 6.3 percent in January 2024. Bell County’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.4 percent in December 2023 to 6.8 percent in January 2024. McCreary County’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.9 percent in December 2023 to 4.8 percent in January 2024. Kentucky’s January 2024 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the January 2023 unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 115 counties between January 2023 and January 2024, fell in Bullitt, Spencer and Meade counties, and remained the same in Magoffin and Nelson counties, according to KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.4 percent. It was followed by Washington County, 3.6 percent; Fayette and Marion counties, 3.7 percent each; Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.8 percent each; Anderson County, 3.9 percent; and Bourbon, Jessamine and Spencer counties, 4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 11.3 percent; Breathitt and Martin counties, 10.1 percent each; Lewis County, 10 percent; Carter County, 9.9 percent; Menifee County, 9.4 percent; Johnson County, 8.4 percent; and Knott and Wolfe counties, 8 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 4.8 percent for January 2024, 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 13,541 people with 12,825 employed and 716 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,009,740 people with 1,913,751 employed and 95,989 unemployed.

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