Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between July and August 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 6.1 percent in July 2025 to 4.7 percent in August 2025. Whitley County’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.1 percent in July 2025 to 5.5 percent in August 2025. Laurel County’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.8 percent in July 2025 to 6.2 percent in August 2025. Knox County’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.8 percent in July 2025 to 6.1 percent in August 2025. Bell County’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.7 percent in July 2025 to 5.9 percent in August 2025. McCreary County’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent in July 2025 to 4.3 percent in August 2025. Kentucky’s August 2025 unemployment rate is 1.0 percent lower than the August 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates fell in 119 counties and rose in Martin County between August 2024 and August 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Scott counties, 3.6 percent each; Cumberland, Harrison, Kenton, Oldham, Shelby and Todd counties, 3.7 percent each; and Boone, Bourbon, Campbell, Franklin, Graves, Jessamine and Washington counties, 3.8 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 8.1 percent; Lewis County, 7.4 percent; Elliott and Wolfe counties, 7 percent each; Carter and Jackson counties, 6.8 percent each; Harlan and Lawrence counties, 6.6 percent each; and Knox County, 6.2 percent.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.
The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.3 percent for August 2025, and 4.5 percent for the nation. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.9 percent in July 2025 to 4.7 percent in August 2025.
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 15,888 people with 15,135 employed and 753 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,106,585 people with 2,015,531 employed and 91,054 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.
