FRANKFORT, Ky. — Unemployment rates fell in 94 counties between December 2021 and December 2022, rose in 12, and stayed the same in 14 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Oldham and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 2.4%. They were followed by Anderson, Fayette, Henry, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 2.6% each; and Carlisle, Carroll, Harrison and Jessamine counties, 2.7% each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.3%. Elliott County, 8.8%, followed it; Carter County, 7.5%; Lewis County, 7.4%; Martin County, 6.9%; Breathitt County, 6.6%; Leslie and Owsley counties, 6.5% each; Greenup County, 6.2%; and Johnson, Letcher and Wolfe counties, 6% each.
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 state’s comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% for December 2022, and 3.3% for the nation.
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.
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