7-7-10 —    Wayne County’s unemployment rate increased by 0.9 percent from April to May, according to the latest figures from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

    The local jobless rate was 12.8 percent in May, up from 11.9 percent in April. In May 2009 the unemployment rate in Wayne County was 14.2 percent.

    In the Lake Cumberland area, the overall rate remained the same from April to May and was 10.8 percent. In May 2009, the overall rate in the 10-county area was 11.6 percent.

    The highest rate in this area in May was 13.8 percent, which was recorded in McCreary County. The lowest rate was 8.8 percent, which was recorded in Clinton County.

    Following are other rates in this area for May: Adair County, 10.1 percent; Casey County, 10.9 percent; Cumberland County, 11.1 percent; Green County, 12.1 percent; Pulaski, 9.7 percent; Russell County, 11.4 percent; and Taylor County, 10.5 percent.

    Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 7.7 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 7.8 percent; Oldham County 8 percent, Calloway County, 8.1 percent; Franklin County, 8.3 percent; Boyd County, 8.5 percent; and Ballard, Madison, McCracken and Robertson counties, 8.6 percent each.

    Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate—19.1 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 17.4 percent; Menifee County, 17 percent; Metcalfe County, 14.8 percent; Powell County, 14.4 percent; Fulton and Grayson counties, 13.9 percent each; McCreary County, 13.8 percent; Wolfe County, 13.6 percent; and Morgan County, 13.5 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 Kentuck-ians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Ken-tuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.