FRANKFORT,
Ky. (March 16, 2023) — Unemployment rates fell in 79 counties between
January 2022 and January 2023, rose in 28, and stayed the same in 13 counties,
according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the
Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Woodford County
recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.9%. It was
followed by Fayette and Scott counties, 3.1% each; Anderson, Carroll and Oldham
counties, 3.2% each; Bourbon and Jessamine counties, 3.3% each; and Henry and
Marion counties, 3.4% each.
Magoffin County
recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.6%. It was followed by
Elliott County, 10.1%; Lewis County, 9.2%; Carter County, 8.9%; Breathitt
County, 8.2%; Martin County, 7.8%; Greenup, Menifee and Wolfe counties, 7.2%
each; and Morgan County, 6.9%.
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 January 2023, and 3.9% for the
nation.
Kentucky’s
seasonally adjusted January 2023 unemployment rate was
released on March 9, 2023, 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 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.
Visit the Kentucky Center for
Statistics website to learn more about Kentucky labor market
information.
Follow the Kentucky
Education and Labor Cabinet on Facebook and Twitter for
the latest updates from the cabinet.