Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between August 2024 and September 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 decreased from 6.4 percent in August 2024 to 5.8 percent in September 2024. Whitley County’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.8 percent in August 2024 to 5.5 percent in September 2024. Laurel County’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.9 percent in August 2024 to 7.5 percent in September 2024. Knox County’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 1.6 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.8 percent in August 2024 to 6.5 percent in September 2024. Bell County’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.5 percent in August 2024 to 6.9 percent in September 2024. McCreary County’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2 percent in August 2024 to 4.9 percent in September 2024. Kentucky’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the September 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in all 120 counties between September 2023 and September 2024, according to KYSTATS.
Cumberland County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.7 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 3.8 percent; Carroll County, 3.9 percent; Fayette, Scott and Shelby counties, 4 percent each; Oldham and Spencer counties, 4.1 percent each; and Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Jessamine, Nelson and Washington counties, 4.2 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.5 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 10.7 percent; Breathitt County, 9.1 percent; Harlan County, 8.6 percent; Elliott and Leslie counties, 8.4 percent each; Knott County, 8.2 percent; Clay County, 7.9 percent; and Letcher and Lewis counties, 7.7 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 4.9 percent for September 2024, and 3.9 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 14,127 people with 13,302 employed and 825 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,079,812 people with 1,978,679 employed and 101,133 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
