FRANKFORT,
Ky. (Jan. 5, 2023) — Unemployment rates rose in 84 counties between
November 2021 and November 2022, fell in 20, and stayed the same in 16
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
2.9%. They were followed by Cumberland, Henry, Scott and Shelby counties,
3% each; and Anderson, Boone, Fayette and Spencer counties, 3.1% each.
Magoffin County
recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.2%. It was followed by
Martin County, 8%; Elliott County, 7.9%; Owsley County, 7.4%; Breathitt County,
7.3%; Lewis County, 7.1%; Leslie County, 6.9%; Harlan and Knott counties, 6.5%
each; and Letcher 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. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment
rate for the state was 3.7% for November 2022, and 3.4% for the nation.
Kentucky’s
seasonally adjusted November 2022 unemployment rate was
released on Dec. 15, 2022, and can be viewed at
https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=592.
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.