FRANKFORT, Ky.
(Dec. 1, 2022) - Unemployment rates fell in
91 counties between October 2021 and October 2022, rose in 18, and stayed the
same in 11 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS),
an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest
jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3%. It was followed by Cumberland and
Oldham counties, 3.1% each; Henry, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.2% each; and
Anderson, Boone, Bullitt, Carroll, Fayette, Marion and Spencer counties, 3.3%
each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.9%. It was followed by Martin County,
8%; Breathitt, Elliott and Owsley counties, 7.6% each; Leslie County, 7.1%;
Harlan and Knott counties, 6.7% each; and Letcher and Lewis counties, 6.6%
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 3.9% for October
2022, and 3.4% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted October
2022 unemployment rate was released on Nov. 17, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=590.
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.