Unemployment rates fell in 90 Kentucky counties between January 2016 and January 2017, rose in 23 and stayed the same in seven counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.6 percent. It was followed by Oldham County (3.9), Fayette County (4.0), Shelby County, (4.1), Scott County, (4.4), Jessamine and Spencer counties, (4.5) and Boone, Campbell and Warren counties (4.6).

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 17.9 percent. It was followed by Elliott County (14.0) Carter County (12.7), Wolfe County (12.1), Leslie County, (11.8), Lawrence County (11.7), Menifee County, (11.5), Harlan County, (11.4), Lewis County, (11.3) and Clay County (10.9).

In contrast to the monthly national and state data, unemployment statistics for counties are not seasonally adjusted. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.8 percent for January 2017, and 5.1 percent for the nation.

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 statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.