Kentucky Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Kentucky rose 0.1 percentage points in August 2018 to 4.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Kentucky peaked in June 2009 at 10.7% and is now 6.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.0% in March 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Kentucky unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	0.0	-0.5
Kentucky	4.4%	+0.1	-0.5

Note: All comparisons are made with August data as September state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Kentucky, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Kentucky Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Kentucky peaked in July 2009 at 221,124. There are now 130,129 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 83,030 in March 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 7,965. Kentucky job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Kentucky	90,995	+999	-9,211

Number of Unemployed Persons

Kentucky Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Kentucky Unemployment Rate	Kentucky Unemployed
September 2018	3.7%	—	—
August 2018	3.9%	4.4%	90,995
July 2018	3.9%	4.3%	89,996
June 2018	4.0%	4.2%	87,082
May 2018	3.8%	4.1%	84,271
April 2018	3.9%	4.0%	83,110
March 2018	4.1%	4.0%	83,030
February 2018	4.1%	4.1%	84,840
January 2018	4.1%	4.3%	87,876
December 2017	4.1%	4.5%	93,188
November 2017	4.1%	4.5%	92,954
October 2017	4.1%	4.6%	93,683