102 counties see unemployment rate fall in 2022

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:29 AM

By KENTUCKY TODAY -TOM LATEK @Wikicountry

Unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Annual unemployment rates fell in 102 Kentucky counties in 2022, increased in 12 and stayed the same in the other six, according to data released Monday by the Kentucky Center for Statistics, an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Scott and Woodford counties checked in with the state’s lowest rates at 3% each. They were followed by Boone, Carroll and Fayette counties with 3.1% each; Anderson, Cumberland, Jessamine and Todd counties had 3.2% each; and Campbell, Harrison, Kenton, Marion, Monroe and Oldham counties were 3.3% each.

On the other side of the coin, Magoffin County recorded the highest annual unemployment rate at 10.5%. That was followed by Elliott County, 8%; Breathitt and Martin counties, 7.3% each; Lewis County, 7.2%; Carter County, 7%; Owsley County, 6.9%; Leslie County, 6.6%; Harlan County, 6.3%; and Knott and Letcher counties, 6.1% each.

In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment rate for the state was 3.9% for 2022, and 3.6% for the nation.

Last year, 75 counties were above the comparable, unadjusted annual state unemployment rate of 3.9%, while 40 were below the state unadjusted rate and five (Boyle, Daviess, Hart, Spencer and Webster counties) were at the same rate.

For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations and how it could affect previously released data, 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.

You can go to the Kentucky Center for Statistics website to learn more about Kentucky labor market information.