The Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) reported fluctuations in unemployment rates across 117 counties between November 2022 and November 2023. The lowest jobless rate was recorded in Woodford County at 2.9%, with Cumberland County following closely at 3%. Conversely, the state’s highest unemployment rates were found in Magoffin and Martin counties, both standing at 8.4%.

These county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted due to small sample sizes. Employment figures can undergo significant alterations because of seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, and other factors.

Kentucky’s unadjusted unemployment rate for November 2023 was 3.9% compared to the national figure of 3.5%. More comprehensive, seasonally adjusted information about the November 2023 unemployment rate was released on December 21.

Notably, unemployment statistics are estimated and intended to measure trends rather than to count the number of people working. The civilian labor force statistics counted include non-military workers and unemployed individuals actively seeking work. The data should be compared to the same month in previous years for an accurate understanding of labor market trends within Kentucky.

Further labor market information for Kentucky can be obtained from the Kentucky Center for Statistics website.