The effects the coronavirus has had on the local unemployment 
picture begin to be reflected in the recent release of jobless 
statistics from the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development 
Cabinet. The rate for Wayne County in March increased by nearly two 
percent.
    The jobless rate for the month was 7.4 percent, up from 5.7 percent 
in February. In March 2019, the local unemployment rate was 6.9 percent.
    The overall rate for the Lake Cumberland area also took a jump, from 
5 percent in February to 6.6  percent in March. In March 2019, the 
rate for the 10 county area was 5.7 percent.
    The highest rate in this area in March was 8.6 percent, which was 
recorded in McCreary County. The lowest rate was 5.2 percent, which 
was recorded in Taylor County.
    Other rates in this area in March were: Adair County, 7.2 percent; 
Casey County, 7.5 percent; Clinton County, 6.9 percent; Cumberland 
County, 6.8 percent; Green County, 5.3 percent; Pulaski County, 6.4 
percent; and Russell County, 7.3 percent.
    The March unemployment rate showed that rates increased in 117 
counties in the state.
    Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth 
at 4.1 percent. It was followed by: Fayette and Shelby counties, 4.4 
percent each; Boone, Marion, Spencer and Woodford counties, 4.5 
percent each; Scott County, 4.6 percent; and Campbell, Jessamine and 
Kenton counties, 4.7 percent each.
    Magoffin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 
18.1 percent. It was followed by: Harlan County, 14.5 percent; Leslie 
County, 13.5 percent; Breathitt County, 12.6 percent; Martin County, 
12.4 percent; Elliott County, 12.1 percent; Lewis County, 11.7 
percent; Letcher County, 11.4 percent; Menifee County 10.5 percent; 
and Knott County, 10.2 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.

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