Franklin records one of lowest jobless rates in state in September
Published 2:00 pm Sunday, December 21, 2025
Franklin was among 12 Kentucky counties that recorded the lowest unemployment rates in September.
Unemployment rates fell in 116 counties, rose in Clinton, Wayne and Ballard counties and stayed the same in Logan County between September 2024 and September 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Cumberland, Scott, Shelby and Woodford counties had the lowest jobless rates in the commonwealth at 3.7% each. They were followed by Fayette and Oldham counties, 3.8% each; and Boone, Franklin, Kenton, Spencer, Todd and Washington counties, 3.9% each.
Franklin County’s September unemployment rate fell from from 4.4% a year ago.
Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.5%. It was followed by Magoffin County, 8.1%; Lewis County, 7.5%; Elliott and Wolfe counties, 7.2% each; Jackson County, 6.9%; Harlan County, 6.7%; Carter and Lawrence counties, 6.6% each; and Knox County, 6.5%.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.5% for September 2025, and 4.3% for the nation.
