The county unemployment rate has remained steady at over 13 percent in August, according to the latest Labor Force Estimates from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET).

The estimated numbers reflect a slight decrease to 13.3 percent from 13.5 percent in July. This also reflects a major increase in unemployment from a year ago, which was nine percent in August of 2008.

Bell County is above the average unemployment for the Cumberland Valley region, which is 12.4 percent. Jackson County has the highest unemployment rate for the region, at 17.8 percent. Neighboring Clay County has the second highest with 14.4 percent. Harlan County has 12.8 percent, while Laurel County has the lowest at 10.5 percent.

The statewide average is 10.8 percent.

Fayette County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 8.2 percent. It was followed by Woodford County, 8.6 percent; Boyd County, 8.7 percent; Calloway County, 8.8 percent; Oldham and Webster counties, 8.9 percent each; Jessamine County, 9.3 percent; and Boone, Clinton, Franklin and McCracken counties, 9.4 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 20.9 percent. It was followed by Jackson County, 17.8 percent; Trigg County, 16.7 percent; Powell County, 16.6 percent; Grayson County, 16.5 percent; Metcalfe County, 15.8 percent; Allen and Morgan counties, 15.4 percent each; and Lewis and Menifee counties, 15.3 percent each.

“The Kentucky economy showed some signs of stabilization in August 2009, with average weekly hours of production workers rising and the temporary help industry experiencing an uptick in employment. However, the number of individuals facing long-term unemployment continued to surge, suggesting the economic pain from the recession is far from over,” said Dr. Justine Detzel, OET chief labor market analyst.

The mining and logging sector gained 200 jobs in August 2009. The sector has added 1,200 workers since August 2008 because of hiring in the coal mining industry.

The government sector, which includes public education, public administration agencies and state-owned hospitals, maintained steady employment from July 2009 to August 2009. The sector has 2,900 fewer jobs compared to August 2008.

Kentucky’s manufacturing sector lost 3,200 jobs in August 2009. Compared to August 2008, jobs in the sector plummeted by 35,300.

Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. 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. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.