Unemployment rates rose in 75 Kentucky counties between August 2018 and August 2019, fell in 36 and stayed the same in nine 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 percent. It was followed by Boone and Oldham counties, 3.3 percent each; Fayette County, 3.4 percent; Campbell, Kenton, Pendleton and Scott counties, 3.5 percent each; and Bourbon and Cumberland counties, 3.6 percent each.
Harlan County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 12.9 percent; Leslie County, 10.5 percent; Carter County, 9.1 percent; Elliott County, 8.8 percent; Letcher County, 8.5 percent; Lewis County, 8.4 percent; Bell, Knott and Martin counties, 7.4 percent 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 comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.3 percent for August 2019, and 3.8 percent for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was released last week. The NKyTribune’s story can be seen here.
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 here.
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 here.
From Education & Workforce Development Cabinet