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Unemployment rates fall in all Kentucky counties in August; Boone County among lowest rates in state


Unemployment rates fell in all 120 Kentucky counties between August 2020 and August 2021. No county unemployment rates rose or stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS).

Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.7%. It was followed by Cumberland, Shelby, and Woodford counties at 2.8% each; Carlisle, Henry, Scott, Spencer, and Washington counties, 3.0% each; and Boone, Bourbon, Taylor, and Todd counties, 3.1% each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.4%. It was followed by Martin County, 8.1%; Harlan County, 7.7%; Breathitt County, 7.5%; Leslie County, 6.9%; Letcher County, 6.7%; Carter County, 6.5%; Elliott County, 6.4%; Johnson County, 6.3%; and Floyd, Knott, and Lewis counties, 6.2% each.

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 3.7% for August and 5.3% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted August 2021 unemployment rate was released on Sept. 16 and can be viewed at kentucky.gov.

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 www.bls.gov.

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 kystats.ky.gov.

Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet


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