ED AND WORKFORCE CABINET

News release

FRANKFORT — Unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between February 2018 and February 2019, rose in seven, and stayed the same in five counties, 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 3 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 3.2 percent; Oldham and Scott counties, 3.3 percent each; Boone and Shelby counties, 3.4 percent each; and Anderson, Campbell, Kenton and Spencer counties, 3.5 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 9.7 percent; Carter County, 9 percent; Menifee County, 8.6 percent; Wolfe County, 8.1 percent; Elliott County, 8 percent; Bath and Livingston counties, 7.3 percent; and Breathitt and Lawrence counties, 7.2 percent 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 4.3 percent for February 2019, and 4.1 percent for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was released last week and can be viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=303. 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 kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.