State releases county unemployment data for February 2023

Editor's Note: A link to the county unemployment rates is below. 

•                          February 2023 County Rates

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 30, 2023) — Unemployment rates rose in 105 counties between February 2022 and February 2023, fell in 10, and stayed the same in five counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.2%. It was followed by Fayette County, 3.4%; Oldham and Scott counties, 3.5% each; Anderson, Carroll, Jessamine and Marion counties, 3.6% each; Bourbon County, 3.7%; and Boone, Franklin and Washington counties, 3.8% each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.6%. It was followed by Elliott County, 10.7%; Lewis County, 9.6%; Carter County, 9.1%; Breathitt County, 8.9%; Martin County, 8.8%; Greenup County, 7.8%; Menifee County, 7.4%; and Johnson and Knott counties, 7.3% 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 4.5% for February 2023, and 3.9% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted February 2023 unemployment rate was released on March 23, 2023, 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 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.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website to learn more about Kentucky labor market information. 

Follow the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.