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Unemployment rates rose in all 120 Kentucky counties between May 2019 and May 2020, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

According to new data released Thursday, the rate in Clark County nearly tripled from May 2019 to May 2020. The May 2020 rate was 9.7 percent compared to 3.8 percent in May 2019. The rate in May was down slightly from April, though, when it was 16.6 percent.

The report indicates there were more than 1,600 Clark Countians classified as unemployed in May 2020.

Carlisle County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 5.4 percent. It was followed by Clinton County, 6.4 percent; Hickman County, 6.5 percent; Lyon County, 6.7 percent; Monroe County, 6.8 percent; Pendleton County, 7.2 percent; Todd and Woodford counties, 7.4 percent each; Crittenden County, 7.5 percent; and Robertson County, 7.6 percent.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.5 percent. It was followed by Marion County, 15.9 percent; Harlan County, 15.5 percent; Jackson County, 14.6 percent; Lewis County, 14.4 percent; Edmonson and Leslie counties, 14.2 percent each; Martin and Trimble counties, 14.1 percent each; and Hancock County, 14 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.