State releases county unemployment data for March 2023

 A link to the county unemployment rates are below. 

County Rate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 27, 2023) — Unemployment rates fell in 90 counties between March 2022 and March 2023, rose in 18, and stayed the same in 12 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 2.8%. It was followed by Fayette County, 2.9%; Anderson, Oldham and Scott counties, 3% each; Jessamine and Washington counties, 3.1% each; and Boone, Carlisle, Carroll and Marion counties, 3.2% each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.4%. It was followed by Elliott County, 8.9%; Lewis County, 8%; Breathitt County, 7.6%; Carter County, 7.4%; Martin County, 7.1%; Johnson County, 6.4%; Leslie and Greenup counties, 6.3% each; and Knott County, 6.2%.

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 3.8% for March 2023, and 3.6% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted March 2023 unemployment rate was released on April 20, 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.                 

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at Kentucky Center for Statistics - KYSTATS.