Unemployment rates increased in Knox, Laurel, Whitley counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between April 2023 and May 2023, according to the Kentucky Center of Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.7 percent in April 2023 to 4.4 percent in May 2023. Whitley County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in April 2023 to 4.2 percent in May 2023. Laurel County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent in April 2023 to 5.5 percent in May 2023. Knox County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in April 2023 to 5.4 percent in May 2023. Bell County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent in April  2023 to 5.4 percent in May 2023. McCreary County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent in April 2023 to 3.8 percent in May 2023. Kentucky’s May 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the May 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 96 counties between May 2022 and May 2023, fell in 22 counties, and stayed the same in two (Breckinridge and Green) counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS).

Carroll County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Spencer and Woodford counties, 3 percent each; Anderson, Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1 percent each; and Cumberland, Fayette, Marion and Nelson counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent. It was followed by Elliott and Martin counties, 7.9 percent each; Carter County, 7 percent; Lewis County, 6.9 percent; Breathitt County, 6.8 percent; Johnson and Owsley counties, 6.5 percent each; and Clay, Harlan and Leslie counties, 6.4 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.8 percent for May 2023, and 3.4 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 14,169 people with 13,548 employed and 621 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,062,436 people with 1,983,091 employed and 79,345 unemployed.

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