The unemployment rate rose just slightly in Clinton County between September 2011 and September 2012, but the latest figures did show a slight drop in the local jobless rate during a one-month comparison.

According to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Clinton County posted an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent in September, 2012, compared with 9.6 percent for the same month a year ago, September, 2011.

The 9.7 September, 2012 rate was lower than the 10 percent listed for Clinton County during August, 2012.

Clinton County was one of just 12 counties in Kentucky to show increased jobless rates in the September one-year comparison noted above.

Other counties in the Lake Cumberland District, and each respective unemployment rate for September, 2012, included: Cumberland (10.9), Adair (8.7), Russell (7.8), McCreary (12.2) and Wayne (11.7).

Unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between September 2011 and September 2012, while 12 county rates increased.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.3 percent. It was followed by Union County, 5.9 percent; Fayette County, 6 percent; Oldham and Scott counties, 6.1 percent; Franklin and Madison counties, 6.2 percent each; Shelby County, 6.3 percent; and Calloway, Jessamine and Warren counties, 6.4 percent each.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 16.7 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 15.8 percent; Leslie County, 13.7 percent; Knott County, 13.6 percent; Harlan and Letcher counties, 13.5 percent; Bell County, 13.1 percent; Jackson County, 12.9 percent; Perry County, 12.7 percent; and Wolfe County, 12.3 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 in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.

Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at www.workforce.ky.gov and find Kentucky labor market information at www.kylmi.ky.gov.