Monticello — Wayne County's jobless rate remained steady from January to February,

according to the latest figures from the Kentucky Office of Employment and

Training.

The local unemployment rate in February was 15.7 percent, the same as it

was in January. In February 2009, the jobless rate in Wayne County was 14.2

percent.

The overall unemployment rate in the Lake Cumberland Area increased

slightly from 13.1 percent in January to 13.2 percent in February. In

February 2009, the unemployment rate was 12.5 percent in this area.

The lowest unemployment rate in the 10-county area in February was 11.5

percent, which was recorded in Clinton County. The highest rate in the area

was 16.5 percent, which was recorded in McCreary County.

Other area rates included: Adair County, 12.6 percent; Casey County,

12.6 percent; Cumberland County, 15.9 percent; Green County, 14.3 percent;

Pulaski County, 12.2 percent; Russell County, 13.7 percent; and Taylor

County, 12.5 percent.

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state at 8.6

percent. It was followed by: Woodford County, 8.9 percent; Boyd County, 9.1

percent; Madison County, 9.4 percent; and Calloway County, 9.7 percent.

Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 23.2

percent. It was followed by: Menifee County, 21.1 percent; Jackson County,

19.9 percent; Bath County, 18.5 percent; and Lewis County, 18.2 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.