FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Unemployment rates rose in 56 Kentucky counties between December 2018 and December 2019, fell in 46 and stayed the same in 18 counties, according to the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The stats from the Kentucky Center for Statistics report that Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 2.7 percent each. It was followed by Fayette, Shelby, and Woodford counties at 2.9 percent each; Boone County, 3 percent; Campbell, Jessamine, Scott and Spencer counties, 3.1 percent each; and Franklin, Hancock, Kenton and Marion counties, 3.2 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.8 percent. It was followed by Harlan County, 10.8 percent; Leslie County, 9.7 percent; Lewis County, 8.9 percent; Elliott County, 8.7 percent; Breathitt and Carter counties, 8.2 percent each; Letcher County, 8.1 percent; Wolfe County, 7.7 percent; and Lawrence County, 7.2 percent.
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 3.9 percent for December 2019, and 3.4 percent for the nation.
You can view the entire report here.
