FRANKFORT,
Ky. (Oct. 24, 2024) — Unemployment rates rose in all 120 counties between
September 2023 and September 2024, according to the Kentucky Center for
Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor
Cabinet.
Cumberland County
recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.7%. It was followed
by Woodford County, 3.8%; Carroll County, 3.9%; Fayette, Scott and Shelby
counties, 4% each; Oldham and Spencer counties, 4.1% each; and Anderson, Boone,
Bourbon, Jessamine, Nelson and Washington counties, 4.2% each.
Magoffin County
recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.5%. It was followed by
Martin County, 10.7%; Breathitt County, 9.1%; Harlan County, 8.6%; Elliott and
Leslie counties, 8.4% each; Knott County, 8.2%; Clay County, 7.9%; and Letcher
and Lewis counties, 7.7% 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 4.9% for September 2024, and 3.9% for the
nation.
Kentucky’s
seasonally adjusted September 2024 unemployment rate was
released on Oct. 17, 2024, 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.
Learn more about
Kentucky labor market information here.