BluegrassForeclosure.com

Overall, generally good news across the Commonwealth, but we are far from a recovery unfortunately.

From Kentucky.gov:  Annual unemployment rates were lower in 76 Kentucky counties in 2010 than in 2009, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

In addition, 38 Kentucky counties had a higher annual unemployment in 2010 than in 2009 while Bourbon, Hickman, McCreary, Morgan, Pulaski and Taylor counties each had the same rate for both years.

In 2010, 90 Kentucky counties had an annual jobless rate at or above 10 percent compared to 98 counties that recorded double-digit rates in 2009.

The annual jobless rates for Fayette and Woodford counties were the lowest in the Commonwealth in 2010 at 8.1 percent. They were followed by Oldham County, 8.5 percent; Calloway County, 8.7 percent; Carlisle and Madison counties, 8.8 percent each; Boyd and Franklin counties, 8.9 percent each; Warren County, 9 percent; and Hickman, McCracken and Shelby counties, 9.1 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest annual unemployment rate in 2010 — 19.7 percent. It was followed by Menifee County, 17.5 percent; Jackson County, 17.1 percent; Lewis and Powell counties, 15 percent each; Grayson County, 14.5 percent; McCreary and Wolfe counties, 14.4 percent each; Bath County, 14.2 percent; and Metcalfe County, 14.1 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and counties figures.

Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at www.workforce.ky.gov.