FRANKFORT, Ky.
(Aug. 25, 2022) - Unemployment rates fell in
117 counties between July 2021 and July 2022 and rose in three, according to
the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky
Education and Labor Cabinet.
Cumberland and Woodford counties
recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3% each. It was
followed by Oldham and Scott counties, 3.2% each; Anderson, Boone and Fayette
counties, 3.3% each; Jessamine County, 3.4%; and Bourbon, Campbell, Carroll,
Harrison, Kenton, Marion, Monroe, Pendleton, Todd and Washington counties, 3.5%
each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.2%. It was followed by Breathitt
County, 9.1%; Elliott County, 8.9%; Martin County, 8.8%; Carter County, 8.4%;
Leslie County, 7.9%; Harlan, Lewis and Owsley counties, 7.5% each; and Knott
County, 7.2%.
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 4.2% for July 2022,
and 3.8% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted July
2022 unemployment rate was released on Aug. 18, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=575.
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.