FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 23, 2026) — Unemployment rates rose in 116 counties between June 2025 and June 2026, fell in Owsley and Russell counties and stayed the same in Bracken and Harlan counties, 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 4.5%. It was followed by Cumberland County, 4.6 %; Campbell, Fayette, Kenton and Scott counties, 4.7% each; Boone and Shelby counties, 4.8% each; Franklin County, 4.9%; and Clark, Graves, Jessamine, Oldham, Todd and Trimble counties, 5% each.

Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.6%. It was followed by Wolfe County, 10.4%; Magoffin County, 9.6%; Elliott and Lewis counties, 9.5% each; Jackson County, 8.5%; Lawrence County, 8.2%; Carter County, 8.1%; Pike County, 7.9%; and Knott County, 7.8%

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.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted June 2026 state unemployment rate was released on July 16, 2026, 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.