Russell County unemployment dropped in May 2021 compared to the year before.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, Russell County recorded an unemployment rate of 15.1 percent. In May 2021, that number fell to 4.6 percent.
Russell County’s unemployment rate remains higher than neighboring counties. Adair was listed at 4.3 percent, Casey at 3.4 percent, Cumberland at 3 percent, Clinton at 3.7 percent, Wayne at 4.2 percent, and Pulaski at 4.1 percent.
Oldham County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8%. It was followed by Shelby and Woodford counties, 2.9% each; Cumberland, Scott and Spencer counties, 3% each; Henry and Washington counties, 3.1% each; and Boone, Bourbon, Bullitt, Taylor and Todd counties, 3.2% each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.2%. It was followed by Harlan County, 7.8%; Martin County, 7.7%; Breathitt County, 6.9%; Leslie County, 6.7%; Elliott, Letcher and Lewis counties, 6.4% each; and Carter, Floyd and Johnson counties, 6.1%.
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. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.9% for May 2021, and 5.5% for the nation.
A full map of unemployment rates by county is below.
