FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 21, 2016) – Unemployment rates rose in 65 Kentucky counties between March 2015 and March 2016, fell in 37 counties, and remained the same in 18, 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 3.6 percent. It was followed by Oldham County, 4 percent; Fayette County, 4.1 percent; Shelby County, 4.2 percent; Scott County, 4.3 percent; Spencer County 4.4 percent; Anderson, Boone and Campbell counties, 4.5 percent each; and Franklin, Jessamine and Madison counties, 4.6 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.1 percent. It was followed by Leslie County, 13.9 percent; Harlan County, 13.3 percent; Letcher County, 12.7 percent; Floyd and Wolfe counties, 12.6 percent each; Knott County, 12.3 percent; Pike County, 12.1 percent; Owsley County, 12 percent; and Martin County, 11.7 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 5.8 percent for March 2016, and 5.1 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.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.
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