Increasing Unemployment Rates

By Editor | July 16, 2024 |

By Allyson Dix

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, unemployment rates rose in 109 counties between May 2023 and May 2024. Rates fell in six counties and remained the same in five.

Metcalfe County ranked at 4.8% unemployment rate in May 2024, increasing from 4.3% a year ago. In comparison, the Kentucky Labor Force reports a 3.7% unemployment rate across the nation. Statewide is 4.5%.

An increase was seen in all counties within the Barren River Area District. Statistics are listed below in comparison for the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for the May 2023 to May 2024 year.

Allen – 3.9% to 4.5%

Barren – 4.1% to 4.7%

Butler – 4.1% to 4.9%

Edmonson – 4.8% to 5.2%

Hart – 4.3% to 4.8%

Logan – 3.8% to 4.7%

Metcalfe – 4.3% to 4.8%

Monroe – 3.6% to 4.4%

Simpson – 3.7% to 4.1%

Warren – 3.9% to 4.3%

Cumberland and Washington counties had the lowest jobless rates in the state at 3.4% each. Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.5%.

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.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted May 2024 unemployment rate was released on June 20, 2024.

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/.

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 https://kystats.kov y.g.