State: County’s unemployment rate higher last month than 1 year ago
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, 12:45 p.m. — Nelson County’s unemployment rose 1 percent between December 2009 and December 2010 according to figures released today by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.
Nelson County’s unemployment rate in December 2009 stood at 11 percent, compared to 12 percent in December 2010.
Nelson County’s December unemployment rate was the third highest in the eight-county Lincoln Trail Area Development District. Grayson County’s 13.4 percent unemployment rate was the district’s highest figure, followed by Meade County at 13 percent.
A county’s unemployment rate does not necessarily reflect a loss of jobs in the county, but reflects the number of county residents who are unemployed. Some of those in the workforce counted among the unemployed may have lost jobs outside their county of residence.
Nelson County has the second-largest civilian workforce in the Lincoln Trail district, second only to neighboring Hardin County.
HIGHEST, LOWEST STATEWIDE. Fayette and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the Commonwealth at 7.5 percent each. They were followed by Oldham County, 7.9 percent; Hopkins, Madison and Warren counties, 8.2 percent each; Franklin County, 8.3 percent; Calloway County, 8.4 percent; and Caldwell, Carlisle, Jessamine, Rowan and Shelby counties, 8.5 percent each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 18.8 percent. It was followed by Menifee County, 18.3 percent; Jackson County, 17 percent; Lewis County, 15.4 percent; McCreary County, 15.2 percent; Wolfe County, 14.8 percent; Bath County, 14.3 percent; Morgan and Powell counties, 14.2 percent each; and Clay County, 13.8 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 used in this features are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.
-30-
