Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between January 2025 and February 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 decreased from 5.7 percent in January 2025 to 5.2 percent in February 2025. Whitley County’s February 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the February 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.6 percent in January 2025 to 6.5 percent in February 2025. Laurel County’s February 2025 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the February 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.5 percent in January 2025 to 7.1 percent in February 2025. Knox County’s February 2025 unemployment rate was the same as the February 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.7 percent in January 2025 to 7.4 percent in February 2025. Bell County’s February 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the February 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.9 percent in January 2025 to 6.8 percent in February 2025. McCreary County’s February 2025 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the February 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.5 percent between January 2025 and February 2025. Kentucky’s February 2025 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the February 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 83 counties, fell in 33 counties and stayed the same in Grant, Graves, Knox and Pulaski counties between February 2024 and February 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 4.2 percent; Scott County, 4.3 percent; Jessamine and Oldham counties, 4.5 percent each; Boone, Harrison and Todd counties, 4.6 percent each; Bourbon County, 4.7 percent; and Caldwell, Franklin, Graves, Kenton, Shelby, Union, Warren and Washington counties, 4.8 percent each.
Magoffin and Wolfe counties recorded the state’s highest unemployment rates at 11.1 percent. They were followed by Elliott County, 10.9 percent; Lewis County, 10.6 percent; Martin County, 10.3 percent; Carter and Menifee counties, 9.6 percent each; Lawrence County, 9 percent; Breathitt County, 8.7 percent; and Jackson and Morgan counties, 8.4 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 5.5 percent for February 2025, and 4.5 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 15,816 people with 14,990 employed and 826 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,124,839 people with
2,007,554 employed and 117,285 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
