Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between September 2024 and October 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 5.9 percent in September 2024 to 5.4 percent in October 2024. Whitley County’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent in September 2024 to 5.4 percent in October 2024. Laurel County’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.6 percent in September 2024 to 7.0 percent in October 2024. Knox County’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent in September 2024 to 6.1 percent in October 2024. Bell County’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.9 percent in September 2024 to 6.6 percent in October 2024. McCreary County’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 1.0 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.9 percent in September 2024 to 4.7 percent in October 2024. Kentucky’s October 2024 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the October 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 118 counties between October 2023 and October 2024, fell in Christian County, and stayed the same in Todd County,, according to KYSTATS.
Cumberland County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 3.6 percent; Carroll, Fayette, Oldham and Scott counties, 3.8 percent each; Shelby County, 3.9 percent; and Anderson, Boone, Jessamine and Spencer counties, 4 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.6 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 10.1 percent; Breathitt and Harlan counties, 8.9 percent each; Leslie County, 8.4 percent; Elliott County, 8 percent; Letcher County, 7.8 percent; Knott and Owsley counties, 7.6 percent each and Clay County, 7.5 percent.
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 4.7 percent for October 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 14,043 people with 13,283 employed and 760 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,082,473 people with 1,984,916 employed and 97,557 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
