Unemployment rates fell in 18 Kentucky counties, stayed the same in three and rose in 99 counties between July 2016 and July 2017, according to the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics (KCEWS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 4.3 percent. It was followed by Campbell County, 4.4 percent; Boone, Fayette and Scott counties, 4.5 percent each; Jessamine, Kenton, Oldham and Shelby counties, 4.6 percent each; and Monroe County, 4.7 percent.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 12.4 percent; Elliott County, 11.4 percent, Carter and Letcher counties, 11.3 percent each; Harlan County, 11.2 percent; Wolfe County, 10.9 percent; Breathitt County, 10.4 percent; Knott County, 10.3 percent; Lee County, 10.1 percent; and Jackson County 10 percent.
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 5.9 percent for July 2017, and 4.6 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 data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information athttps://kcews.ky.gov/KYLMI.