Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between March 2025 and April 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 decreased from 5.7 percent in March 2025 to 4.0 percent in April 2025. Whitley County’s April 2025 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower than the April 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.7 percent in March 2025 to 5.2 percent in April 2025. Laurel County’s April 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the April 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.3 percent in March 2025 to 5.6 percent in April 2025. Knox County’s April 2025 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent lower April 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.6 percent in March 2025 to 5.8 percent in April 2025. Bell County’s April 2025 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the April 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.3 percent in March 2025 to 5.2 percent in April 2025. McCreary County’s April 2025 unemployment rate was the same as the April 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in March 2025 to 4.4 percent April 2025. Kentucky’s April 2025 unemployment rate was the same as the April 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates fell in 81 counties, rose in 31 counties and stayed the same in eight counties between April 2024 and April 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.1 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Scott counties, 3.3 percent each; Jessamine and Todd counties, 3.4 percent each; Caldwell County, 3.5 percent; Boone, Bourbon and Harrison counties, 3.6 percent; and Campbell, Kenton and Oldham counties, 3.7 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.3 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 8.3 percent; Lewis County, 7.7 percent; Elliott County, 7.4 percent; Wolfe County, 7.1 percent; Menifee County, 6.8 percent; Jackson County, 6.6 percent; Lawrence County, 6.5 percent; and Carter and Harlan counties, 6.4 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 4.4 percent for April 2025, and 3.9 percent for the nation.
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 15,832 people with 15,191 employed and 641 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,112,354 people with
2,020,409 employed and 91,945 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.
