County jobless rate drops below 8% for second month this year

Unemployment rates fell in 99 Kentucky counties between October 2010 and October 2011, while 20 county rates increased and one county remained the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.  
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 6.4 percent.

It was followed by Fayette and Ohio counties, 7 percent each; Caldwell County, 7.3 percent; Oldham and Owen counties, 7.4 percent each; Daviess County, 7.5 percent; Calloway, Franklin, Hopkins and Shelby counties, 7.6 percent each.

Jackson County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 15.8 percent. It was followed by Fulton County, 15.6  percent; Meade County, 14.8 percent; Magoffin County, 14.5 percent; McCreary County, 14 percent; Clay County, 13.6 percent; Menifee County, 13.1 percent; Bell County, 13 percent; Lee County, 12.5 percent; and Lewis County, 12.3 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 to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.