FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2023) —
Unemployment rates fell in 94 counties between December 2021 and December 2022,
rose in 12, and stayed the same in 14 counties, according to the Kentucky
Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor
Cabinet.
Oldham and Woodford
counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at
2.4%. They were followed by Anderson, Fayette, Henry, Scott, Shelby and
Spencer counties, 2.6% each; and Carlisle, Carroll, Harrison and Jessamine
counties, 2.7% each.
Magoffin County
recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.3%. It was followed by
Elliott County, 8.8%; Carter County, 7.5%; Lewis County, 7.4%; Martin County,
6.9%; Breathitt County, 6.6%; Leslie and Owsley counties, 6.5% each; Greenup
County, 6.2%; and Johnson, Letcher and Wolfe counties, 6% 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 December
2022, and 3.3% for the nation.
Kentucky’s
seasonally adjusted December 2022 unemployment rate was
released on Jan. 19, 2023, and can be viewed at https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=597.
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.
Learn more about
Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.