Monticello — Wayne County's annual unemployment rate decreased from 2006 to 2007,
according to information from the Kentucky Office of Employment and
Training. The local jobless rate averaged 6.6 percent in 2007, down from 6.9
percent in 2006.
In the Lake Cumberland area, unemployment averaged 6.2 percent in 2007,
which decreased from 6.5 percent the previous year. The lowest average in
the 10-county area was 5.3 percent, which was recorded in Clinton County.
The highest average in this area was 9.2 percent, which was recorded in
McCreary County.
Other rates for 2007 in this area included: Adair County, 5.9 percent;
Casey County, 5.7 percent; Cumberland County, 7 percent; Green County, 6.2
percent; Pulaski County, 6 percent; Russell County, 6.2 percent; and Taylor
County, 5.5 percent.
Ninety-three Kentucky counties posted lower annual unemployment rates in
2007 than in 2006, while 21 counties were higher and six counties remained
the same.
In 2007, three Kentucky counties had an annual jobless rate at or above
10 percent compared to four counties that recorded double-digit rates in
2006.
Jackson County recorded the state's highest annual unemployment rate in
2007 at 13.9 percent. It was followed by Clay County, 10.8 percent; Magoffin
County, 10.5 percent; Wolfe County, 9.9 percent; and Owsley County, 9.4
percent.
Woodford County's 3.9 percent annual jobless rate was the lowest in the
state in 2007. Other low rates also were recorded in Fayette County, 4
percent; Warren County, 4.3 percent; Scott County, 4.4 percent; Boone,
Franklin, and Jessamine counties, 4.5 percent each; and Mason County, 4.7
percent.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to
measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civil-ian labor
force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuc-kians
who are actively seeking work.
