By Ronica Shannon
Madison County’s unemployment rate has increased by almost four percent since July 2008, according to a recent report from the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The county was at a 9.7 percent unemployment rate as of July, which is a 3.8 percent jump from the 5.9 percent unemployment rate reported in July last year.
According to Kentucky Labor Market information, Madison County had a population of 82,192 in 2008. As of July, the county’s labor force was 43,802, with 39,540 employed and 4,262 unemployed.
The nation’s and state’s unemployment rate as of July was 9.7 percent and 11 percent respectively.
In July 2008, the nation’s rate was an even 6 percent and the state’s rate was 6.6 percent, according to information posted at www.workforcekentucky.ky.gov.
Unemployment rates have increased in all 120 Kentucky counties between July 2008 and July 2009.
Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 8.2 percent. It was followed by Oldham County, 8.6 percent; Boyd and Calloway counties, 8.8 percent each; Ballard and McCracken counties, 9 percent each; Clinton County, 9.1 percent; Franklin County, 9.3 percent; Hickman County, 9.4 percent; and Woodford County, 9.5 percent.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate of 19.6 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 17.4 percent; Powell County, 16.3 percent; Bath, Trigg and Metcalfe counties, 16 percent each; Grayson, Lewis and Menifee counties, 15.6 percent each; and Hancock County, 15.4 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, according to the labor statistics.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
