Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between June 2025 and July 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Whitley County
Whitley County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.1 percent in June 2025 to 6.0 percent in July 2025. Whitley County’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.3 percent in June 2025 to 7.0 percent in July 2025. Laurel County’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.7 percent in June 2025 to 7.8 percent in July 2025. Knox County’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.0 percent in June 2025 to 7.8 percent in July 2025. Bell County’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.6 percent in June 2025 to 7.6 percent in July 2025. McCreary County’s July 2025 unemployment rate 0.5 percent higher than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.9 percent in June 2025 to 5.6 percent in July 2025. Kentucky’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the July 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates fell in 73 counties, rose in 35 counties and stayed the same in 12 counties between July 2024 and July 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4.5 percent. It was followed by Fayette, Oldham and Scott counties, 4.7 percent each; and Boone, Campbell, Cumberland, Harrison, Kenton and Shelby counties, 4.8 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.8 percent. It was followed by Wolfe County, 9.8 percent; Lewis County, 9.7 percent; Magoffin County, 9.6 percent; Elliott County, 8.9 percent; Pike County, 8.8 percent; Carter and Jackson counties, 8.6 percent each; Harlan County, 8.4 percent; and Knott County, 8.3 percent.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.
The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.6 percent for July 2025, and 4.6 percent for the nation. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.9 percent from June 2025 to July 2025.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually 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.
Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 15,820 people with 14,865 employed and 955 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,119,691 people with
2,001,010 employed and 118,681 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.
