FRANKFORT, Ky.
(April 21, 2022) - Unemployment rates rose in
nine Kentucky counties, fell in 110 counties, and stayed the same in Breathitt
County between March 2021 and March 2022, according to the Kentucky Center for
Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce
Development Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest
jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8%. It was followed by Scott County,
3%; Boone, Fayette and Todd counties, 3.1% each; Harrison and Jessamine
counties, 3.2% each; Logan and Simpson counties, 3.3% each; and Anderson,
Caldwell, Campbell, Cumberland, Green Kenton, Madison and Monroe counties, 3.4%
each.
Magoffin County recorded the
state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.2%. It was followed by Breathitt
County, 8.8%; Elliott County, 8.6%; Martin County, 8%; Carter County, 7.6%;
Lewis County, 7.5%; Leslie County, 7.2%; Harlan and Owsley counties, 6.9% each;
and Johnson and Knott counties, 6.5% each.
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 March
2022, and 3.8% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted March
2022 unemployment rate was released on April 14, 2022, and can be
viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=553.
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.