Just as quickly as the local jobless rate took a big jump early in the year, there was a hefty decrease in the rate just a month later. Although the rate dropped considerably, it remained in double-digits and higher than both the national and state averages.

In February, Clinton County’s unemployment rate rose to an even 13 percent. However, the March rate had dropped by some 2.7 percent, standing at 10.3 percent for the month, the fourth highest in the 10-county Lake Cumberland area.

Unemployment statewide and in the Lake Cumberland area decreased overall from February to March.

The Lake Cumberland district rate was 9.9 percent, down from 11 percent in February and three tenths of a percent lower than the March 2013 rate of 10.2 percent, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Taylor County recorded Lake Cumberland’s lowest rate at 7.9 percent while 14.7 percent was the highest, recorded in McCreary County.

Other jobless rates in the area included: Adair County, 8.8 percent; Casey County, 9.1 percent; Cumberland County, 11.2 percent; Green County, 8.6 percent; Pulaski County, 9.9 percent; Russell County, 10.6 percent; and Wayne County, 12 percent.

Unemployment rates fell in 69 Kentucky counties between March 2013 and March 2014, while 43 county rates went up and eight counties stayed the same.

Boone County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.7 percent. It was followed by Cambpell County, 6.3 percent; Kenton County, 6.4 percent; Gallatin County, 6.7 percent; Grant, Oldham and Shelby counties, 6,8 percent each; Simpson, Warren and Woodford counties, 6.9 percent each.

Jackson County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate–19.3 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 17.1 percent; Leslie County, 17 percent; Harlan County, 16.8 percent; Letcher County, 15.8 percent; Bell County, 15.2 percent; Knott County, 15.1 percent; McCreary County, 14.7 percent; Menifee County, 14,3 percent and Clay County, 14.1 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 are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.