FRANKFORT, Ky.
(May 26, 2022) - Unemployment rates rose in
seven Kentucky counties, fell in 110 counties, and stayed the same in three
counties between April 2021 and April 2022, according to the Kentucky Center
for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce
Development Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest
jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.5%. It was followed by Cumberland
and Oldham counties, 2.6% each; Henry, Scott, Shelby and Spencer counties, 2.7%
each; Anderson, Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Harrison, Logan, Monroe, Simpson and
Washington counties, 2.8% each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.5%. It was followed by Breathitt
County, 7.6%; Elliott County, 7.5%; Martin County, 7.3%; Owsley County, 6.7%;
Leslie County, 6.6%; Carter County, 6.5%; Lewis County 6.4%; Harlan County,
6.2%; and Floyd and Johnson counties, 5.7% each.
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.
The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.4% for April
2022, and 3.3% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted April
2022 unemployment rate was released on May 19, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=562.
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 at https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#why.
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.