FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 30, 2017) — Unemployment rates dropped in 115 Kentucky counties between February 2016 and February 2017, rose in three and stayed the same in two counties, 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 3.5 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 3.8 percent each; Scott and Shelby counties, 4 percent each; Jessamine County, 4.2 percent; Boone and Warren counties, 4.3 percent each; and Allen, Campbell and Spencer counties, 4.4 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.8 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 12.5 percent; Leslie County, 11.8 percent; Carter County, 11.7 percent; Menifee County, 11.4 percent; Harlan County, 11.3 percent; Lewis and Knott counties, 11.1 percent; and Wolfe and Letcher counties, 11 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 5.5 percent for February 2017, and 4.9 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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