Published: June 30, 2009 12:43 pm      

Jobless rate increases in May

Monticello — Wayne County's jobless rate increased from April to May, according to

the latest figures from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

The local unemployment rate in May was 13.9 percent, up from 13.5

percent in April. In May 2008, Wayne County's jobless rate was 7.6 percent.

The Lake Cumberland area's jobless rate took a significant leap from

10.7 percent in April to 11.4 percent in May. The highest rate in the

10-county area was 14.1 percent, which was recorded in McCreary County.

The lowest rate in the area was 9.8 percent, which was recorded in

Clinton County.

Other rates in this area were: Adair County, 11.4 percent; Casey County,

10.5 percent; Cumberland County, 13.7 percent; Green County, 12.6 percent;

Pulaski County, 10.2 percent; Russell County, 11.9 percent; and Taylor

County, 10.7 percent.

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state at 7.7

percent. It was followed by: Woodford County, 7.8 percent; Calloway County,

8.2 percent; Oldham County, 8.3 percent; McCracken County, 8.6 percent;

Carlisle County, 8.7 percent; and Boyd County, 8.8 percent.

Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 18

percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 17.4 percent; Trigg County, 16.2

percent; Bath County, 16 percent; Powell County, 15.7 percent; and Allen

County, 15.1 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.