Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between May 2024 and June 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 5.7 percent in May 2024 to 6.2 percent in June 2024. Whitley County’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 5.1 percent in May 2024 to 5.7 percent in June 2024. Laurel County’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.0 percent in May 2024 to 7.8 percent in June 2024. Knox County’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.8 percent in May 2024 to 6.6 percent in June 2024. Bell County’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.5 percent in May 2024 to 7.1 percent in June 2024. McCreary County’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in May 2024 to 5.0 percent in June 2024. Kentucky’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the June 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 110 counties between June 2023 and June 2024 and fell in 10 counties, according to KYSTATS.
Cumberland County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.9 percent. It was followed by Washington and Woodford counties, 4 percent each; Anderson, Carroll, Marion, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties, 4.1 percent each; and Boone, Fayette, Nelson and Scott counties, 4.2 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.7 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 10.5 percent; Breathitt County, 9.6 percent; Elliott and Leslie counties, 8.7 percent each; Knott County, 8.4 percent; Lewis County, 8.3 percent; Carter and Harlan counties, 8.2 percent each; and Clay County, 8.1 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 5.0 percent for June 2024, and 4.3 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 13,990 people with 13,116 employed and 874 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,077,409 people with 1,973,987 employed and 103,422 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
