Kentucky experienced and uptick in employment numbers during September, but the Commonwealth continues to lag behind national employment figures.
The unemployment rate fell in 102 counties, stayed the same in five and rose in 13 counties between September 2016 and September 2017, according to the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
Oldham County had the lowest jobless rate in Kentucky at 3.1 percent, followed by Fayette and Shelby Counties at 3.2 percent. Jessamine, Scott, Woodford, and Campbell Counties checked in at 3.3 percent, while Boone, Kenton, Monroe and Spencer Counties came in at 3.4 percent.
Magoffin County posted Kentucky’s highest unemployment rate at 12.9 percent, followed by Leslie County at 10.7 percent. Harlan County came in at 8.6 percent, with Elliott County posting an 8.3 percent jobless rate.
The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for Kentucky was 4.3 percent for September 2017, while the national unemployment rate was 4.1 percent.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually 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 sought work within the past four weeks.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
