Unemployment rates increased in Laurel, Knox, and Bell counties between November 2024 and December 2024, and remained the same in Whitley and McCreary counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Whitley County
Whitley County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.5 percent between November 2024 and December 2024. Whitley County’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in November 2024 to 5.7 percent in December 2024. Laurel County’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 1.5 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.2 percent in November 2024 to 7.4 percent in December 2024. Knox County’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 1.8 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.5 percent in November 2024 to 6.6 percent in December 2024. Bell County’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 1.4 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate remained at 7.0 percent between November 2024 and December 2024. McCreary County’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 1.4 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.9 percent in November 2024 to 5.1 percent in December 2024. Kentucky’s December 2024 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent higher than the December 2023 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in all 120 counties between December 2023 and December 2024, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.8 percent. It was followed by Anderson, Fayette, Shelby and Washington counties, 4 percent each; Carroll, Marion, Oldham and Scott counties, 4.1 percent each; and Jessamine and Spencer counties, 4.2 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 12.4 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 11 percent; Elliott and Lewis counties, 10.4 percent each; Harlan County, 9.6 percent; Breathitt County, 9.5 percent; Carter and Leslie counties, 9 percent each; Clay County, 8.6 percent; and Johnson, Knott and Owsley counties, 8.1 percent each.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.
The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.1 percent for December 2024, and 3.8 percent for the nation.
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.
Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,099 people with 13,317 employed and 782 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,084,914 people with 1,979,542 employed and 105,372 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
