Unemployment rose just slightly in Clinton County in the month of November from the previous month of October, 2023, and was one-half of one percent higher than a year ago, according to the latest jobless figures released by the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Clinton County’s unemployment rate for November 2023, was 4.8 percent, compared to 4.6 percent in October, both higher than the November 2022 rate listed of 4.3 percent.
Those figures are based on a Civilian Labor Force in Clinton County of 3,412, with 3,247 being employed, leaving 165 local residents in the jobless category.
Neighboring Cumberland County had the second lowest jobless rate in the entire state at three percent, while neighboring Russell County had the state’s seventh highest unemployment rate in Kentucky at 6.8 percent.
Other area counties in the 10 county Lake Cumberland District, and the November 2023 unemployment rate for each included Adair (5.1), Pulaski (4.6), and Wayne (5.0).
Across the Commonwealth, unemployment rates rose in 117 counties between November 2022 and November 2023, fell in Hancock County, and remained the same in Lyon and Marshall counties.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.9 percent. It was followed by Cumberland County, 3 percent; Carroll, Fayette, Marion, Scott and Washington counties, 3.2 percent each; and Anderson, Bourbon, Caldwell, Jessamine, Oldham and Shelby counties, 3.3 percent each.
Magoffin and Martin counties recorded the state’s highest unemployment rates at 8.4 percent each. They were followed by Lewis County, 7.2 percent; Elliott County, 7.1 percent; Owsley County, 7 percent; Breathitt County, 6.9 percent; Russell County, 6.8 percent; Leslie County, 6.7 percent; and Clay and Knott counties, 6.3 percent each.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.9 percent for November 2023, and 3.5 percent for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted November 2023 unemployment rate was released on December 21, 2023.
In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.