Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between October 2024 and November 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 increased from 5.4 percent in October 2024 to 5.5 percent in November 2024. Whitley County’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.4 percent in October 2024 to 5.6 percent in November 2024. Laurel County’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.4 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.0 percent in October 2024 to 7.2 percent in November 2024. Knox County’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.7 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.2 percent in October 2024 to 6.5 percent in November 2024. Bell County’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.6 percent in October 2024 to 6.9 percent in November 2024. McCreary County’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.7 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.7 percent in October 2024 to 4.8 percent in November 2024. Kentucky’s November 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the November 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 119 counties between November 2023 and November 2024, and fell in Russell County, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.6 percent. It was followed by Cumberland County, 3.8 percent; Marion, Scott and Washington counties, 3.9 percent each; and Carroll, Fayette, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties, 4 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.8 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 9.9 percent; Harlan County, 9.3 percent; Breathitt County, 8.9 percent; Leslie County, 8.7 percent; Elliott County, 8.6 percent; Lewis County, 8.2 percent; Clay County, 8.1 percent; Letcher County, 8 percent; and Knott and Owsley counties, 7.9 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 4.8 percent for November 2024, and 4.0 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 14,080 people with 13,309 employed and 771 unemployed.
Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,084,029 people with 1,983,298 employed and 100,731 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
