Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, and Bell counties between December 2024 and January 2025 and decreased slightly in McCreary County, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Whitley County
Whitley County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in December 2024 to 5.7 percent in January 2025. Whitley County’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.7 percent in December 2024 to 6.6 percent in January 2025. Laurel County’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 1.4 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.4 percent in December 2024 to 7.5 percent in January 2025. Knox County’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.6 percent in December 2024 to 7.7 percent in January 2025. Bell County’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.0 percent in December 2024 to 6.9 percent in January 2025. McCreary County’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 5.0 percent in December 2024 to 5.5 percent in January 2025. Kentucky’s January 2025 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the January 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 109 counties, fell in nine counties and stayed the same in Johnson and Knott counties between January 2024 and January 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Shelby counties, 4.3 percent each; Oldham and Scott counties, 4.4 percent each; Bourbon, Jessamine and Nicholas counties, 4.6 percent each; and Harrison, Todd and Washington counties, 4.7 percent each.
Wolfe County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 13.8 percent. It was followed by Lewis County, 12.2 percent; Elliott County, 11.5 percent; Magoffin County, 11.2 percent; Martin County, 11 percent; Carter County, 10.7 percent; Menifee County, 10.6 percent; Lawrence County, 9.8 percent; Breathitt County, 9.3 percent; and Morgan County, 9.1 percent.
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 5.5 percent for January 2025, and 4.4 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 15,853 people with 14,953 employed and 900 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,110,903 people with 1,994,434 employed and 116,469 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
