Logan County’s positive trend with the unemployment rate continued with the latest statistics, which were released last week by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

According to the most recent numbers, Logan County had a jobless rate of 7.0 percent in May for this year. That is down two full percentage points from one year ago when it was 9.0 percent in May of 2011.

The rate is also the second lowest among the 10 counties of the Barren River Development District and well below the state average of 8.1 percent.

Warren County had the lowest unemployment in the BRADD at 6.8 percent. Monroe County was just behind Logan at 7.1 percent.

Other neighboring Kentucky counties all had higher unemployment. Those include Todd (7.2 percent), Simpson (8.8 percent), Muhlenberg (9.0 percent) and Butler (8.7 percent).

Statewide, most counties saw the same type of decrease as unemployment rates fell in 107 Kentucky counties between May 2011 and May 2012, while 12 county rates increased and one stayed the same.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.3 percent. It was followed by Hancock County, 5.5 percent; Shelby County, 6.1 percent; Fayette County, 6.2 percent; Union County, 6.3 percent; Daviess and Oldham counties, 6.5 percent each; Calloway and Franklin counties, 6.6 percent each; and Ohio County, 6.7 percent.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 19.9 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 16.1 percent; Leslie County, 14.1 percent; Jackson County, 14 percent; Bell County, 13.3 percent; Breathitt County, 12.8 percent; Clay and Lee counties, 12.6 percent each, Knott County, 12.5 percent; and Perry County, 12.4 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 county figures.