Unemployment rates increase locally in Whitley, Knox, Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between December 2022 and January 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 3.7 percent in December 2022 to 4.3 percent in January 2023. Whitley County’s January 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the January 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 3.7 percent in December 2022 to 4.2 in January 2023. Laurel County’s January 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the January 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.9 percent in December 2022 to 5.3 percent in January 2023. Knox County’s January 2023 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the January 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.8 percent in December 2022 to 5.4 percent in January 2023. Bell County’s January 2023 unemployment rate was the same as its January 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in December 2022 to 5.9 percent in January 2023. McCreary County’s January 2023 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the January 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent in December 2022 to 4.2 percent in January 2023. Kentucky’s January 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the January 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates fell in 79 counties between January 2022 and January 2023, rose in 28, and stayed the same in 13 counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Scott counties, 3.1 percent each; Anderson, Carroll and Oldham counties, 3.2 percent each; Bourbon and Jessamine counties, 3.3 percent each; and Henry and Marion counties, 3.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 10.1 percent; Lewis County, 9.2 percent; Carter County, 8.9 percent; Breathitt County, 8.2 percent; Martin County, 7.8 percent; Greenup, Menifee and Wolfe counties, 7.2 percent each; and Morgan County, 6.9 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 4.2 percent for January 2023, and 3.9 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 13,992 people with 13,392 employed and 600 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,037,223 people with 1,952,338 employed and 84,855 unemployed.

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