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New Data Shows Some Kentucky Counties Have More Workers Than Work

Becca Schimmel

New data shows Kentucky is seeing an increase in counties that have more workers than available jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor report shows most of the Kentucky counties with a high labor surplus are in the more rural parts of the state.

The DOL issues the report at the beginning of every federal fiscal year. To be designated as one of these areas, a city or county has to have an average unemployment rate of 20 percent or more above the national rate for the past two calendar years.

Kentucky has four more labor surplus areas than it did last year. Breckinridge, Carlisle, Fleming, Graves, Hickman and Mason counties are newly designated areas with more workers than there are jobs. Bracken and Lincoln counties were removed from the list this year. The commonwealth’s labor force participation rate is below the national average at about 58 percent.

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