Kentucky Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Kentucky fell 0.2 percentage points in May 2021 to 4.5%. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Kentucky peaked in April 2020 at 16.9% and is now 12.4 percentage points lower. You can also see Kentucky unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | May 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 5.8% | -0.3 | -7.5 |
| Kentucky | 4.5% | -0.2 | -6.4 |
Note: All comparisons are made with May data as June 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 April 2020 at 352,568. There are now 263,672 fewer people unemployed in the state. Kentucky job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | May 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 88,896 | -5,131 | -137,664 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
Kentucky Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
Kentucky Unemployment Rate |
Kentucky Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 5.9% | — | — |
| May 2021 | 5.8% | 4.5% | 88,896 |
| April 2021 | 6.1% | 4.7% | 94,027 |
| March 2021 | 6.0% | 5.0% | 99,621 |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 5.2% | 103,384 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 5.3% | 106,401 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 110,912 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 110,689 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 5.5% | 109,978 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 5.5% | 108,971 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 5.5% | 108,661 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 5.6% | 109,512 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
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