What is the unemployment rate in Kentucky right now?

Data updated September 30, 2024

The unemployment rate was about 4.8% in August 2024. That was a 0.6 percentage point increase from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It is a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.

In August 2024, the unemployment rate in Kentucky was higher than the US overall.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to August 2024

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Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher . Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.

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In Kentucky, Magoffin County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.3%. Cumberland County had the lowest at 3.8%. Jefferson County, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 5.4%. The latest county-level data was from July 2024.

Unemployment rates in Kentucky counties ranged from 3.9% to 11.3% in August 2024.

Not seasonally adjusted

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Unemployment rate, by county in Kentucky (August 2024)

Unemployment rate, by county in Kentucky (August 2024)
1.	Magoffin County, KY	11.3%
2.	Martin County, KY	10.6%
3.	Breathitt County, KY	9.7%
4.	Elliott County, KY	8.9%
5.	Leslie County, KY	8.9%
6.	Carter County, KY	8.7%
7.	Knott County, KY	8.6%
8.	Harlan County, KY	8.5%
9.	Lewis County, KY	8.3%
10.	Clay County, KY	8.3%

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

What is the unemployment rate in Kentucky right now?

In August 2024, the unemployment rate in Kentucky was higher than the US overall.

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Unemployment rates in Kentucky counties ranged from 3.9% to 11.3% in August 2024.

Unemployment rate, by county in Kentucky (August 2024)

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Methodology

Page sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Unemployment rate, by county in Kentucky (August 2024)

In August 2024, the unemployment rate in Kentucky was higher than the US overall.

Unemployment rates in Kentucky counties ranged from 3.9% to 11.3% in August 2024.

Methodology

Page sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics