Unemployment rates fell in 90 counties between March 2022 and March 2023, rose in 18, and stayed the same in 12 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Boone County was among 11 counties with the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3.2%, with the lowest being Woodford County at 2.8%.
Due to small sample sizes, Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted.
Employment statistics undergo 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 state’s comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate was 3.8% for March 2023, compared to 3.6% for the nation.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than counting people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not sought employment within the past four weeks. The data is only compared to the same month in previous years.