Unemployment rates rose in 109 counties between May 2023 and May 2024 and fell in six counties and remained the same in five counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. Locally, unemployment rose year-to-year in Adair and all surrounding counties. Comparing month-to-month, only Cumberland County saw a decrease in unemployment rates from April to May, 2024 in the 7-county area.

Cumberland and Washington counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3.4% each. They were followed by Woodford County, 3.5%; Anderson, Marion, Shelby and Spencer counties, 3.6% each; and Carroll, Fayette and Oldham counties, 3.7% each.