Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Laurel and Knox counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, McCreary and Bell counties between April 2021 and May 2021, 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 4.3 percent in April 2021 to 4.4 percent in May 2021. Whitley County’s May 2021 unemployment rate was 7.3 percent lower than the May 2020 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.5 percent in April 2021 to 3.9 percent in May 2021. Laurel County’s May 2021 unemployment rate was 8.2 percent lower than the May 2020 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.0 in April 2021 to 5.4 percent in May 2021. Knox County’s May 2021 unemployment rate was 8.1 percent lower than the May 2020 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 in April 2021 to 5.0 percent in May 2021. McCreary County’s May 2021 unemployment rate was 5.7 percent lower than the May 2020 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in April 2021 to 5.0 percent in May 2021. Bell County’s May 2021 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent lower than the May 2020 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent in April 2021 and May 2021. Kentucky’s May 2021 unemployment rate is 7.2 percent lower than the May 2020 rate.

Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Shelby and Woodford counties, 2.9 percent each; Cumberland, Scott and Spencer counties, 3 percent each; Henry and Washington counties, 3.1 percent each; and Boone, Bourbon, Bullitt, Taylor and Todd counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.2 percent. It was followed by Harlan County, 7.8 percent; Martin County, 7.7 percent; Breathitt County, 6.9 percent; Leslie County, 6.7 percent; Elliott, Letcher and Lewis counties, 6.4 percent each; and Carter, Floyd and Johnson counties, 6.1 percent.

Unemployment rates fell in all 120 Kentucky counties between May 2020 and May 2021.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.9 percent for May 2021, and 5.5 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 13,559 people with 12,956 employed and 603 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 1,981,545 people with 1,905,066 employed and 76,479 unemployed.

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