Monticello — Wayne County's unemployment rate increased more than two percent from

December to January, according to the latest figures released by the

Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

The local jobless rate was 15.8 percent in January, up from 13.7 percent

in December. In January 2009, the local unemployment rate was 12.5 percent.

Wayne County's jobless rate was the highest in the 10-county Lake

Cumberland area. The lowest rate in the area was 11 percent, which was

recorded in Clinton County.

Overall, the rate for the Lake Cumberland Area in January was 13.1

percent, up from 11.6 percent in December. In January 2009, the area's

unemployment rate was 10.9 percent.

Other rates in the area included: Adair County, 12.3 percent; Casey

County, 12.3 percent; Cumberland County, 15.3 percent; Green County, 13.7

percent; McCreary County, 16.3 percent; Pulaski County, 12.1 percent;

Russell County, 13.9 percent; and Taylor County, 12.3 percent.

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state at 8.5

percent. It was followed by: Boyd County, 8.8 percent; Woodford County, 9

percent; Madison County, 9.5 percent; Calloway and Jessamine counties, 9.7

percent; and Scott County, 9.8 percent.

Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment at 23.5

percent. It was followed by: Menifee County, 20 percent; Jackson County,

19.6 percent; Bath County, 18 percent; Powell County, 17.9 percent; and

Edmonson and Lewis counties, 17.8 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.