Unemployment rates increased in McCreary and Bell counties, decreased in Knox County and stayed the same in Whitley and Laurel counties between July 2024 and August 2024, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Whitley County
Whitley County’s unemployment rate remained at 6.5 percent between July 2024 and August 2024. Whitley County’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.8 percent between July 2024 and August 2024. Laurel County’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.3 percent in July 2024 to 8.0 percent in August 2024. Knox County’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 2.0 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.7 percent in July 2024 to 6.8 percent in August 2024. Bell County’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.4 percent in July 2024 to 7.5 percent in August 2024. McCreary County’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4 percent in July 2024 to 5.1 percent in August 2024. Kentucky’s August 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the August 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 120 counties between August 2023 and August 2024, according to KYSTATS.
Cumberland County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.9 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 4 percent; Anderson, Carroll, Fayette, Nelson, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 4.3 percent each; and Boone, Bourbon, Jessamine, Oldham and Washington counties, 4.4 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.3 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 10.6 percent; Breathitt County, 9.7 percent; Elliott and Leslie counties, 8.9 percent each; Carter County, 8.7 percent; Knott County, 8.6 percent; Harlan County, 8.5 percent; and Clay and Lewis counties, 8.3 percent each.
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 5.1 percent for August 2024, and 4.4 percent 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.
Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 13,955 people with 13,053 employed and 902 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,077,388 people with 1,970,722 employed and 106,666 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
