Whitley Co. has 7.2 percent June unemployment rate

Unemployment rates rose in 96 Kentucky counties between June 2016 and June 2017, fell in 20 and stayed the same in four counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County’s June unemployment rate was 7.2 percent.

Laurel County’s June unemployment rate was 6.9 percent.

Knox County’s June unemployment rate was 9.2 percent.

Bell County’s June unemployment rate was 9.6 percent.

McCreary County’s June unemployment rate was 7.8 percent.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.8 percent. It was followed by Shelby County, 4.2 percent; Oldham and Spencer counties, 4.3 percent each; Fayette County, 4.4 percent; Campbell, Monroe and Scott counties, 4.5 percent each; and Anderson, Boone and Jessamine counties, 4.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 12.2 percent; Elliott County, 11.8 percent, Letcher County, 11.4 percent; Harlan County, 11.2 percent; Carter County, 11 percent; Wolfe County, 10.8 percent; Knott County, 10.5 percent; Lawrence County, 10.2 percent; and Lee and Breathitt counties, 10.1 percent each.

In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.7 percent for June 2017, and 4.5 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 13,852 people with 12,856 employed and 996 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,090,932 people with 1,972,163 employed and 118,769 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.