Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between May 2025 and June 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 increased from 4.6 percent in May 2025 to 5.1 percent in June 2025. Whitley County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in May 2025 to 6.3 percent in June 2025. Laurel County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.0 percent in May 2025 to 6.7 percent in June 2025. Knox County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.1 percent in May 2025 to 7.0 percent in June 2025. Bell County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.8 percent in May 2025 to 6.6 percent in June 2025. McCreary County’s June 2025 unemployment rate 0.3 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.4 percent in May 2025 to 4.9 percent in June 2025. Kentucky’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates fell in 115 counties, rose in four counties and stayed the same in Harlan County between June 2024 and June 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Oldham, Shelby and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 4 percent each. It was followed by Fayette and Scott counties, 4.1 percent each; and Boone, Campbell, Cumberland, Spencer, Todd and Washington counties, 4.2 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.5 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 9.1 percent; Lewis County, 8.8 percent; Elliott County, 8.6 percent; Wolfe County, 8 percent; Carter County, 7.9 percent; Harlan and Jackson counties, 7.5 percent each; Lawrence County, 7.4 percent; and Clay and Knott counties, 7.2 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 June 2025, and 4.4 percent for the nation. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 5 percent in June 2025 to 4.9 percent in June 2025.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually 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 16,126 people with 15,303 employed and 823 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,131,380 people with
2,027,488 employed and 103,892 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.
