Unemployment Drops in Most Kentucky Counties

Unemployment rates were down in most Kentucky counties over the past year.

The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training says rates dropped in 115 Kentucky counties between February 2016 and February 2017. Unemployment rose in three counties, and stayed the same in two.

Woodford County reported the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 3.8 percent each; Scott and Shelby counties, 4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.8 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 12.5 percent; and Leslie County, 11.8 percent.

In western Kentucky, the lowest jobless rate was found in Calloway County at 5.1 percent, while the highest was Ballard and Livingston counties at 9.2 percent.

Other western Kentucky jobless figures included: Caldwell County, 6.2 percent; Carlisle County, 7.2 percent; Crittenden County 6.2 percent; Fulton County 7.6 percent; Graves County 6.8 percent; Hickman County 7.9 percent; Lyon County 7.5 percent; Marshall County 6.8 percent; McCracken County 6.6 percent; and Trigg County 6.7 percent.

In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.5 percent for February 2017, and 4.9 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.