FRANKFORT, Ky.
(June 23, 2022) –Unemployment rates rose in nine
Kentucky counties, fell in 107 counties, and stayed the same in four counties
between May 2021 and May 2022, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics
(KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development
Cabinet.
Cumberland and Woodford counties
recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 2.6% each. It was
followed by Scott County, 2.8%; Anderson, Boone, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine
and Monroe counties, 2.9% each; and Carroll, Logan, Simpson, Todd and
Washington counties, 3% each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.9%. It was followed by Breathitt and
Martin counties, 7.8% each; Elliott County, 7.3%; Leslie County, 6.9%; Carter
and Owsley counties, 6.7% each; Harlan County, 6.5%; Lewis County, 6.4%; and
Johnson County, 6.2%.
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 3.8% for May
2022, and 3.4% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted May
2022 unemployment rate was released on June 16, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=566.
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.