Unemployment rates rose in 114 Kentucky counties between February 2015 and February 2016, fell in four counties (Casey, Jackson, Marion and Russell), and remained the same in two (Gallatin and Green), according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 4.3 percent each; Shelby County, 4.5 percent; Franklin and Scott counties, 4.7 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Campbell and Spencer counties, 4.8 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 21.6 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 13.7 percent; Harlan County, 13.6 percent; Floyd County, 13.5 percent; Letcher County, 13.4 percent; Wolfe County, 13.3 percent; Elliott County, 13.1 percent; Knott County, 12.9 percent; and Lawrence and Owsley counties, 12.8 percent each.
Among Purchase counties, Ballard County had the highest jobless rate at 10.4 percent. It was followed by Carlisle County, 8.2 percent; Fulton County, 7.8 percent; Graves County, 7.1 percent; and Hickman and Marshall counties, 6.9 percent each. Calloway County had the lowest jobless rate at 5.8 percent, followed by McCracken County, 6.8 percent.
In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted state unemployment rate for the state was 6.3 percent for February 2016, and 5.2 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. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.