The unemployment rate in Clinton County, although lower than many areas of the state, continues to be higher than the area, state and national averages according to the latest jobless rate survey for Kentucky’s 120 counties.

Clinton County’s unemployment in March stood at 7.8 percent, the second highest rate in the 10 county Lake Cumberland Area Development District, according to statistics from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training. However, this was 1.2 percent lower than Russell County, which recorded the highest rate at an even nine percent, and just a tenth of a percent higher than McCreary County, which had the third highest rate in the area at 7.7 percent.

In the Lake Cumberland area, the jobless rate decreased slightly from February to March, standing at 6.6 percent compared to 6.8 percent in February. The district rate remained steady from 2017 to 2016, when it was 6.7 percent in March of last year.

On the other end of the spectrum, Green County again recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Lake Cumberland area at 5.2 percent.

Other area rates in the Lake Cumberland District in March were: Adair County, 7 percent; Casey County, 5.3 percent; Cumberland County, 6 percent; Pulaski County, 6.3 percent and Taylor County, 5.4 percent.

Woodford County once again recorded Kentucky’s lowest unemployment at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Oldham and Shelby counties, at 3.7 percent each; Fayette County at 3.9 percent; Scott County, 4 percent; Spencer and Warren counties had 4.1 percent; Jessamine County, 4.2 percent; and Allen, Boone, Campbell and Henry counties all had 4.3 percent during the month.

Magoffin County once again led the Commonwealth in the highest jobless rate in March, standing at 18.9 percent. It was followed by Elliott County, 11.6 percent; Leslie County, 11.5 percent; Knott and Harlan counties, 11 percent each; Letcher County, 10.9 percent; Menifee County, 10.7 percent; Carter County, 10.6 percent; Breathitt County, 10.4 percent; and Lawrence, Lewis and Wolfe counties, 10.3 percent each.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to county people working.