FRANKFORT, Ky. – Unemployment rates rose in 95 counties between May 2025 and May 2026, fell in 17 counties and stayed the same in eight counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Henderson County recorded a 4.8% unemployment rate in May of 2026, compared to 4.3% last year. Union County unemployment was 4.5% for May, up from 4.1% last year, while Webster County was at 4.9% in May, up from 4.6% last year.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.7%. It was followed by Fayette, Scott and Todd counties, 4% each; and Boone, Campbell, Cumberland, Franklin, Kenton and Oldham counties, 4.1% each.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9.8%. It was followed by Wolfe County, 8.5%; Lewis County, 8.1%; Magoffin County, 7.9%; Elliott County, 7.8%; Jackson County, 7.6%; Lawrence and Pike counties, 6.9% each; and Carter and Wayne counties, 6.8% each.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.
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. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.
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