FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Center for Statistics released county unemployment data on June 25 showing significant regional disparities across the commonwealth, with Woodford County recording the lowest jobless rate at 3.7%.

Unemployment rates rose in 95 counties between May 2025 and May 2026, fell in 17 counties and remained unchanged in eight counties, according to the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. The month-to-month comparison reveals a broader regional economic slowdown despite some individual county improvements.

Fayette County, home to Lexington, tied for second-lowest alongside Scott and Todd counties, each reporting 4 percent unemployment. Boone, Campbell, Cumberland, Franklin, Kenton and Oldham counties followed with 4.1% unemployment rates.

The statewide unemployment picture was bleaker in eastern Kentucky. Martin County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 9.8%, followed by Wolfe County at 8.5% and Lewis County at 8.1%.

The data reflects broader economic challenges. Kentucky's seasonally adjusted state unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in May from 4.3% in April, though it remained below the national rate of 4.3 percent.

County-level unemployment figures are not seasonally adjusted due to small sample sizes, making them subject to seasonal fluctuations from weather, harvests, holidays and school schedules. The Kentucky Center for Statistics notes that county unemployment statistics are estimates designed to measure trends rather than provide exact counts.