Coalfield counties leading Kentucky in unemployment; Magoffin County retains top spot

FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Appalachian coalfield counties are continuing to log the highest unemployment rates in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training released April figures on Thursday showing the coalfields with unemployment rates ranging from 13.3 percent in Jackson County to 16.9 percent in Magoffin County.

A slumping coal industry is being blamed.

Leslie County, which is dependent on the coal industry, reported the second highest jobless rate in the state at 15.8 percent. Fulton County, in far western Kentucky, ranked third at 15.6 percent. That was followed a clump of Appalachian counties with historically high jobless rates.

Woodford County in central Kentucky had the lowest unemployment at 5.4 percent, followed by Oldham County and Fayette County at 5.6 percent and 5.9 percent respectively.

Think your friends should see this? Share it with them!

Follow Us

^{Content enhanced with OpenCalais.}