FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 16, 2026) — Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between January 2025 and January 2026, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. 

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.2%. It was followed by Todd County, 3.3%; Fayette County, 3.5%; Jessamine and Scott counties, 3.6% each; and Bourbon, Campbell, Graves, Harrison, Kenton and Oldham counties, 3.7% each.

Wolfe County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.3%. It was followed by Lewis County, 8.8%; Magoffin County, 8.7%; Elliott County, 8.3%; Carter County, 7.6%; Martin County, 7.3%; Menifee County, 7.2%; Lawrence County, 6.8%; Jackson County, 6.6%; and Breathitt County, 6.4%.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted January 2026 unemployment rate was released on April 13, 2026, and can be viewed here.

In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here.

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. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.