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Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Kentucky
Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as bandy around the idea of a by 2023. The last economic recession鈥攖he Great Recession of 2008-2010鈥攕ent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of October of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.2% higher than in September. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate , ranging from just 2.0% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in Illinois and 4.7% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Kentucky using data from the . Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in September 2022.
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#50. Hopkins County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 17,762 (696 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 17,762 (696 unemployed)
#49. McLean County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 4,048 (156 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 4,048 (156 unemployed)
#48. Metcalfe County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 3,892 (151 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 3,892 (151 unemployed)
#47. Montgomery County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 11,671 (455 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 11,671 (455 unemployed)
#46. Whitley County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 14,159 (546 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 14,159 (546 unemployed)
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#45. Estill County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 5,170 (209 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 5,170 (209 unemployed)
#44. Morgan County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 4,309 (171 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 4,309 (171 unemployed)
#43. Rockcastle County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 6,565 (261 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 6,565 (261 unemployed)
#42. Fulton County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 2,082 (85 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 2,082 (85 unemployed)
#41. Livingston County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 3,568 (148 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 3,568 (148 unemployed)
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#40. Rowan County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,973 (405 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,973 (405 unemployed)
#39. Ballard County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 3,412 (144 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 3,412 (144 unemployed)
#38. Edmonson County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 4,739 (199 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 4,739 (199 unemployed)
#37. Pulaski County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 26,083 (1,094 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 26,083 (1,094 unemployed)
#36. Lincoln County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 9,151 (397 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 9,151 (397 unemployed)
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#35. Bath County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 4,638 (204 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 4,638 (204 unemployed)
#34. Christian County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 25,201 (1,112 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 25,201 (1,112 unemployed)
#33. Lawrence County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 5,526 (241 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 5,526 (241 unemployed)
#32. Mason County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,525 (284 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,525 (284 unemployed)
#31. Breckinridge County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.5%
--- 1 month change: +0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,969 (360 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: +0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,969 (360 unemployed)
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#30. Bell County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 8,054 (369 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 8,054 (369 unemployed)
#29. Boyd County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 17,141 (785 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 17,141 (785 unemployed)
#28. Russell County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 6,109 (281 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 6,109 (281 unemployed)
#27. McCreary County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,905 (229 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,905 (229 unemployed)
#26. Menifee County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 2,318 (108 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 2,318 (108 unemployed)
#25. Perry County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 7,976 (375 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 7,976 (375 unemployed)
#24. Wayne County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,081 (335 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,081 (335 unemployed)
#23. Wolfe County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 2,233 (106 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 2,233 (106 unemployed)
#22. Hancock County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: +0.9%
--- 1 year change: +0.6%
- Total labor force: 3,933 (188 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: +0.9%
--- 1 year change: +0.6%
- Total labor force: 3,933 (188 unemployed)
#21. Lee County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 1,992 (95 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 1,992 (95 unemployed)
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#20. Pike County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 18,727 (900 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 18,727 (900 unemployed)
#19. Knox County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 10,115 (498 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 10,115 (498 unemployed)
#18. Greenup County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 12,878 (646 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 12,878 (646 unemployed)
#17. Ohio County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.0%
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 9,071 (455 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: 0.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 9,071 (455 unemployed)
#16. Jackson County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 4,170 (214 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 4,170 (214 unemployed)
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#15. Clay County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 5,151 (276 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 5,151 (276 unemployed)
#14. Muhlenberg County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 9,543 (513 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 9,543 (513 unemployed)
#13. Floyd County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 10,819 (593 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 10,819 (593 unemployed)
#12. Johnson County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 6,550 (362 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 6,550 (362 unemployed)
#11. Knott County
- Current unemployment rate: 5.7%
--- 1 month change: -1.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 4,266 (244 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.0%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 4,266 (244 unemployed)
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#10. Harlan County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -2.4%
- Total labor force: 6,522 (389 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -2.4%
- Total labor force: 6,522 (389 unemployed)
#9. Letcher County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 6,116 (367 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 6,116 (367 unemployed)
#8. Carter County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.1%
--- 1 month change: -1.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 9,732 (589 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 9,732 (589 unemployed)
#7. Leslie County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.2%
--- 1 month change: -1.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 2,513 (156 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 2,513 (156 unemployed)
#6. Lewis County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.2%
--- 1 month change: -1.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,601 (287 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.0%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,601 (287 unemployed)
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#5. Owsley County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 1,040 (68 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 1,040 (68 unemployed)
#4. Elliott County
- Current unemployment rate: 6.6%
--- 1 month change: -1.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 1,835 (121 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 1,835 (121 unemployed)
#3. Breathitt County
- Current unemployment rate: 7.0%
--- 1 month change: -1.3%
--- 1 year change: -2.6%
- Total labor force: 3,190 (224 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.3%
--- 1 year change: -2.6%
- Total labor force: 3,190 (224 unemployed)
#2. Martin County
- Current unemployment rate: 7.3%
--- 1 month change: -1.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 2,245 (164 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -1.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.7%
- Total labor force: 2,245 (164 unemployed)
#1. Magoffin County
- Current unemployment rate: 8.9%
--- 1 month change: -2.8%
--- 1 year change: -3.6%
- Total labor force: 3,280 (291 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -2.8%
--- 1 year change: -3.6%
- Total labor force: 3,280 (291 unemployed)
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