Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between February 2025 and March 2025, 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 5.2 percent in February 2025 to 5.7 percent in March 2025. Whitley County’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the March 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.5 percent in February 2025 to 6.7 percent in March 2025. Laurel County’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the March 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.1 percent in February 2025 to 7.3 percent in March 2025. Knox County’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher March 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.3 percent in February 2025 to 7.7 percent in March 2025. Bell County’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the March 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.9 percent in February 2025 to 7.2 percent in March 2025. McCreary County’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent higher than the March 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.5 percent between February 2025 and March 2025. Kentucky’s March 2025 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent higher than the March 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates rose in 112 counties, fell in four (Bath, Bracken, Hopkins and Morgan) counties and stayed the same in four (Carroll, Cumberland, Harrison and Montgomery) counties between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4.2 percent. It was followed by Shelby County, 4.5 percent; Fayette County, 4.6 percent; Oldham and Scott counties, 4.7 percent each; Harrison, Jessamine, Todd and Washington counties, 4.8 percent each; and Boone, Kenton and Spencer counties, 4.9 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.9 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 10.3 percent; Wolfe County, 9.9 percent; Lewis County, 9.7 percent; Elliott County, 9.6 percent; Lawrence and Menifee counties, 8.6 percent each; Carter County, 8.4 percent; and Breathitt and Jackson counties, 8.3 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 5.5 percent for March 2025, and 4.2 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 15,914 people with 14,999 employed and 915 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,124,281 people with
2,007,233 employed and 117,048 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov.
