Clinton County’s jobless rate continued a downward trend in September, according to statistics from the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

After hitting highs at almost nine percentage points earlier in the year, the unemployment rate in Clinton County in September stood at 5.5 percent, down from the previous month and was part of a trend in steadily decreasing unemployment in the overall 10 county Lake Cumberland area.

The jobless rate in the Lake Cumberland area took a large drop from August to September, standing at an even five percent, down over a full percent from the 6.1 percent across the region during the month of August.

The lowest rate recorded in the Lake Cumberland area in September was four percent each in Casey and Taylor counties while Wayne County had the highest jobless rate at 6.8 percent for the month.

Other area rates are 4.9 percent in Adair County; 5.1 in Cumberland; 4.2 in Green; 5.8 in McCreary; 4.9 in Pulaski and 5.6 percent in Russell County.

Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate at 3.1 percent. It was followed by Fayette and Shelby counties at 3.2 percent each; Campbell, Jessamine, Scott and Woodford counties at 3.3 percent each; and Boone, Kenton, Monroe, and Spencer counties were 3.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment at 12.9 percent. It was followed by Leslie County at 10.7 percent; Harlan County at 8.6 percent; Elliott County at 8.3 percent; Letcher County at 8.1 percent; and Jackson County at 7.8 percent.

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