County jobless rates down in 108 counties in July 2014

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2014) - Unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between July 2013 and July 2014, while 10 county rates increased, and two remained the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Boone County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.8 percent. It was followed by Caldwell County, 6 percent; Shelby and Woodford counties, 6.1 percent each; Daviess, Kenton, Oldham and Owen counties, 6.2 percent each; and Campbell and Simpson counties, 6.3 percent.

Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate - 15.4percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 14.6 percent; Harlan County, 14.4 percent; Leslie County, 13.3 percent; Letcher County, 13.2 percent; Knott County, 12.9 percent; Fulton County, 12.7 percent; Bell County, 12.3 percent; Clay County, 12 percent; and Wolfe County, 11.8 percent.

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 statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.