Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Laurel and Knox counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, McCreary and Bell counties between May 2021 and June 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 4.5 percent in May 2021 to 5.9 percent in June 2021. Whitley County’s June 2021 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the June 2020 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.9 percent in May 2021 to 5.4 percent in June 2021. Laurel County’s June 2021 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the June 2020 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.4 in May 2021 to 7.1 percent in June 2021. Knox County’s June 2021 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the June 2020 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.0 in May 2021 to 7.1 percent in June 2021. McCreary County’s June 2021 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the June 2020 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.0 percent in May 2021 to 7.0 percent in June 2021. Bell County’s June 2021 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the June 2020 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.9 percent in May 2021 to 5.5 percent in June 2021. Kentucky’s June 2021 unemployment rate is 0.4 percent lower than the June 2020 rate.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4.1 percent. It was followed by Cumberland and Scott counties, 4.2 percent each; Boone County, 4.3 percent; Bourbon and Fayette counties, 4.5 percent each; and Carlisle, Oldham, Taylor, Todd and Washington counties, 4.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.1 percent. It was followed by Harlan County, 10.5 percent; Martin County, 10.4 percent; Breathitt County, 9.5 percent; Elliott and Leslie counties, 9.1 percent each; Letcher County, 8.9 percent; Lewis County, 8.6 percent; and Carter, Johnson and Owsley counties, 8.4 percent each.

Unemployment rates rose in 59 Kentucky counties between June 2020 and June 2021, fell in 55, and stayed the same in six counties, according to KYSTATS.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.5 percent for June 2021, and 6.1 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 13,771 people with 12,958 employed and 813 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 1,996,738 people with 1,887,325 employed and 109,413 unemployed.

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