Home » State releases county unemployment data for October 2018

State releases county unemployment data for October 2018

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Unemployment rates rose in 76 Kentucky counties between October 2017 and October 2018, fell in 34, and stayed the same in 10 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.2 percent. It was followed by Boone, Campbell, Fayette, Oldham and Scott counties, 3.3 percent each; Kenton, Shelby and Spencer counties, 3.4 percent each; and Henry and Jessamine counties, 3.6 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.3 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 7.4 percent; Harlan County, 7.3 percent; Carter and Leslie counties, 7.2 percent each; Clay and Owsley counties, 7.1 percent each; Knott and Wolfe counties, 6.9 percent each; and Breathitt County, 6.8 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 4.2 percent for October 2018, and 3.5 percent for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was released last week and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2Qk6kED. In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#why.

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 at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.