FRANKFORT, Ky. – Unemployment rates rose in 114 Kentucky counties between December 2019 and December 2020, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.9%. It was followed by Todd County, 4%; Logan County, 4.1%; Cumberland, Spencer, Washington and Woodford counties, 4.2% each; Shelby County, 4.3%; and Green and Monroe counties, 4.4% each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 14.8%. It was followed by Harlan County, 11.3%; Leslie County, 9.9%; Carter County, 9.5%; Letcher County, 9.1%; Elliott, Johnson, Martin and Menifee counties, 9% each; and Lewis County, 8.8%.
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 5.7% for December 2020, and 6.5% 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 at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.
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