Logan County’s unemployment rate has dropped significantly in the past year, according to the most recent statistics released by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

In June of 2011, the jobless rate in Logan County was 9.5 percent, but that fell over two full points to 7.3 percent this year.

That is over a point lower than the statewide average of 8.4 percent and is tied with Warren County for the lowest unemployment rate in the 10-county Barren River Development District. The only other BRADD counties with a jobless rate under eight percent were Monroe County (7.4 percent), Hart County (7.7 percent) and Metcalfe County (7.8 percent.)

Logan County’s unemployment rate was lower than all its other neighboring Kentucky counties. Butler County was at 8.9 percent, Simpson County was 8.7 percent, Todd County was 7.8 percent and Muhlenberg County was 8.7 percent.

The downward trend over the past year was similar all over the state as unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between June 2011 and June 2012, while 12 county rates increased.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.8 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 6.5 percent; Union County, 6.6 percent; Oldham and Shelby counties, 6.7 percent each; Hancock County, 6.8 percent; and Daviess, Franklin, Owen and Scott counties, 7 percent each.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 17 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 16.9 percent; Jackson County, 14.8 percent; Leslie County, 14.4 percent; Bell County, 13.7 percent; Wolfe County, 13.5 percent; Harlan County, 13.3 percent; Clay County, 13 percent; and Breathitt, Lee and McCreary counties, 12.9 percent each.

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.