4-27-11 —     Wayne County's unemployment rate dropped by more than one percent  

from February to March, according to the latest figures released by  

the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

    The local jobless rate dropped from 14.8 percent in February to 13.5  

percent in March. In March 2010 the local unemployment rate was 12.7  

percent.

    The average unemployment rate in the Lake Cumberland area was 11.6  

percent in March, compared to 12.6 percent in February. In March  

2010, the area unemployment rate was 12.2 percent.

    The highest rate in the 10-county area in March was 15.1 percent,  

which was recorded in McCreary County. The lowest rate was 10.3  

percent, which was recorded in both Green County and Taylor County.

    Other area rates included: Adair County, 11 percent; Casey County,  

11.1 percent; Clinton County, 11 percent; Cumberland County, 12.6  

percent; Pulaski County, 11.3 percent; and Russell County, 11.5 percent.

    Fayette and Woodford counties recorded the state's lowest jobless  

rates at 7.9 percent. They were followed by: Webster County, 8.1  

percent; Oldham County, 8.3 percent; Ohio County, 8.5 percent; and  

Madison and Union counties, 8.6 percent each.

    Menifee and Jackson counties recorded the state's highest  

unemployment rates at 18.5 percent each. They were followed by:  

Magoffin County, 18.4 percent; Lewis County, 15.4 percent; Metcalfe  

County, 15.2 percent; Clay and McCreary counties, 15.1 percent each;  

and Lincoln County, 14.8 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.