FRANKFORT, Ky.
(Sept. 22, 2022) - Unemployment rates fell in
111 counties between August 2021 and August 2022, rose in six, and stayed the
same in three according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an
agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Oldham County recorded the lowest
jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.6%. It was followed by Cumberland
County, 2.7%; Scott and Woodford counties, 2.8% each; Henry and Shelby
counties, 2.9% each; Boone, Fayette, Harrison and Spencer counties, 3% each;
and Anderson, Bullitt, Jessamine, Pendleton and Washington counties, 3.1% each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.7%. It was followed by Martin County,
8.9%; Breathitt County, 8.5%; Elliott County, 8.2%; Carter County, 7.9%; Leslie
County, 7.5%; Owsley County, 7.3%; Lewis County, 7.2%; Harlan County, 6.9%; and
Knott County, 6.5%.
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 August
2022, and 3.8% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted August
2022 unemployment rate was released on Sept. 15, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=581.
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.