Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Laurel, Knox counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between May 2023 and June 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 4.4 percent in May 2023 to 5.3 percent in June 2023. Whitley County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the June 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 4.3 percent in May 2023 to 4.9 in June 2023. Laurel County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the June 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in May 2023 to 6.4 percent in June 2023. Knox County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the June 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.4 percent in May 2023 to 6.3 percent in June 2023. Bell County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the June 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in May 2023 to 6.3 percent in June 2023. McCreary County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the June 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.9 percent in May 2023 to 4.5 percent in June 2023. Kentucky’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the June 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 53 counties between June 2022 and June 2023, fell in 47, and stayed the same in 20 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Carroll, Spencer and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3.5 percent each. They were followed by Anderson, Nelson and Oldham counties, 3.6 percent each; and Fayette, Marion, Scott, Shelby and Washington counties, 3.7 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 9.4 percent; Martin County, 9.1 percent; Carter County, 8.8 percent; Breathitt and Lewis counties, 8.4 percent each; Owsley County, 8.2 percent; Pike County, 8.1 percent; Leslie County, 7.8 percent; and Knott County, 7.5 percent.

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 4.5 percent for June 2023, and 3.8 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 14,330 people with 13,576 employed and 754 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,068,390 people with 1,976,077 employed and 92,313 unemployed.

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