FRANKFORT, Ky.
(April 18, 2022) -Annual unemployment rates
decreased in all 120 Kentucky counties in 2021, according to the Kentucky
Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and
Workforce Development Cabinet.
The annual jobless rate for
Woodford County was the lowest in the commonwealth in 2021 at 3.4%. It was
followed by Cumberland County, 3.5%; Oldham and Todd counties, 3.6% each; Green
and Scott counties, 3.7% each; and Boone, Carlisle, Logan, and Shelby counties,
3.8% each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest annual unemployment rate in 2021 at 12.5%. It was followed by
Martin County, 9.3%; Breathitt and Harlan counties, 8.6%; Elliott County, 8.4%;
Leslie County, 8.1%; Carter County, 7.8%; Letcher and Lewis counties, 7.6%; and
Johnson County, 7.3%.
In contrast to the monthly national
and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally
adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment rate for the
state was 4.7% for 2021, and 5.3% for the nation. For more information
regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#why.
In 2021, 60 counties were above the
comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment of 4.7%, while 57 were below
the state unadjusted rate and three (Bracken, Hardin, and Marshall counties)
were the same rate.
Compared to the national unadjusted
2021 annual rate of 5.3%, 37 Kentucky counties had higher 2021 annual rates,
while 78 were lower and five (Barren, Fulton, Meade, Montgomery, and Rowan
counties) matched it.
Counties with the largest decline
in annual unemployment rates from 2020 to 2021 were Marion County, -3.2
percentage points, Magoffin County, -3 percentage points, Harlan and Simpson
counties, -2.8 percentage points each, and Russell County, -2.6 percentage
points.
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 statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow
for comparisons between United States, state, and counties figures. The
statistics in this news release may be revised in the future.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market
information at http://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.