MIDDLESBORO — The unemployment rate in Bell County dropped from June to July, as it did in 76 other Kentucky counties.

However, rates rose in 32 counties and remained the same in 11 counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

The Bell County jobless rate in June was 9.1 percent while in July the rate dropped to 8.6 percent. Last year the county unemployment rate was 8.0 percent in July and 8.6 percent in June.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state at 4.1 percent, followed by Fayette County, 4.3 percent; Boone County, 4.5 percent; Franklin County, 4.6 percent; Jessamine, Scott and Warren counties, 4.7 percent each; Clark County, 4.8 percent; and Henderson, Mason and Oldham counties, 4.9 percent each.

Jackson County had the state’s highest jobless rate at 12.9 percent, followed by Clay County, 10.9 percent; Magoffin and Wolfe counties, 10.3 percent each; Harlan County, 9.7 percent; Owsley County, 9.6 percent; McCreary and Muhlenberg counties, 9.3 percent each; Leslie County, 8.9 percent; and Morgan County, 8.7 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are complied to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. They do not include unemployed people who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

C.J. Harte is a correspondent for the Daily News. His e-mail address is charte@middlesborodailynews.com.