Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between April 2025 and May 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 4.0 percent in April 2025 to 4.6 percent in May 2025. Whitley County’s May 2025 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent lower than the May 2024 unemployment rate.
Laurel County
Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in April 2025 to 5.5 percent in May 2025. Laurel County’s May 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the May 2024 unemployment rate.
Knox County
Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in April 2025 to 6.0 percent in May 2025. Knox County’s May 2025 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower May 2024 unemployment rate.
Bell County
Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.8 percent in April 2025 to 6.1 percent in May 2025. Bell County’s May 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the May 2024 unemployment rate.
McCreary County
McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in April 2025 to 5.8 percent in May 2025. McCreary County’s May 2025 unemployment rate 0.2 percent lower than the May 2024 unemployment rate.
Statewide unemployment
Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent in both April 2025 and May 2025. Kentucky’s May 2025 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent lower than the May 2024 unemployment rate.
Unemployment rates fell in 97 counties, rose in 13 counties and stayed the same in 10 counties between May 2024 and May 2025, according to KYSTATS.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.4 percent. It was followed by Fayette, Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.6 percent each; Harrison, Jessamine, Todd and Washington counties, 3.7 percent each; and Boone, Cumberland and Spencer counties, 3.8 percent each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 9.1 percent; Elliott County, 7.9 percent; Lewis County, 7.7 percent; Carter County, 7.1 percent; Wolfe County, 7 percent; Harlan and Lawrence counties, 6.8 percent each; Jackson County, 6.7 percent; and Clay County, 6.5 percent.
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 4.4 percent for May 2025, and 4 percent for the nation. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 5.2 percent in April 2025 to 5 percent in May 2025.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually 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 15,764 people with 15,040 employed and 724 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,121,409 people with
2,028,447 employed and 92,962 unemployed.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at kystats.ky.gov.
