FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 20, 2025) — Unemployment rates rose in 109 counties, fell in nine counties and stayed the same in Johnson and Knott counties between January 2024 and January 2025, 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 4%. It was followed by Fayette and Shelby counties, 4.3% each; Oldham and Scott counties, 4.4% each; Bourbon, Jessamine and Nicholas counties, 4.6% each; and Harrison, Todd and Washington counties, 4.7% each.

Wolfe County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.8%. It was followed by Lewis County, 12.2%; Elliott County, 11.5%; Magoffin County, 11.2%; Martin County, 11%; Carter County, 10.7%; Menifee County, 10.6%; Lawrence County, 9.8%; Breathitt County, 9.3%; and Morgan County, 9.1%.  

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 5.5% for January 2025, and 4.4% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted January 2025 unemployment rate was released on March 13, 2025, and can be viewed here. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3% from December 2024 to January 2025.

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.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website to learn more about Kentucky labor market information.