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Unemployment rates fall in 55 Kentucky counties, including Boone, Campbell and Kenton


Unemployment rates fell in 55 Kentucky counties between June 2018 and June 2019, rose in 51 and stayed the same in 14 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 3.4 percent. It was followed by Boone, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties, 3.8 percent each; Fayette County, 3.9 percent; and Bourbon, Campbell, Kenton and Scott counties, 4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.4 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 9.3 percent; Carter County, 9.1 percent; Elliott and Harlan counties, 8.8 percent each; Leslie County, 8.2 percent; Knott and Lawrence counties, 8.1 percent each; and Breathitt, Clay and Martin counties, 8 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 4.9 percent for June 2019, and 3.8 percent for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was released last week 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 here.

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 here.


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