Unemployment holds at 4.7% as Kentucky payrolls slip in September

Kentucky’s unemployment rate held at 4.7% in September, the Kentucky Center for Statistics reported, as more residents entered the labor force and found work. The preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate was unchanged from August and up 0.2 percentage points versus September 2025. The household survey showed the civilian labor force grew by 6,948 to 2,116,455, while employment rose by 6,721 to 2,016,954 and unemployment increased by 227 to 99,501. Nationally, unemployment was 4.2%, up from 4.1% in August. A separate federal business survey said nonfarm employment fell by 800 to 2,031,700. Leisure and hospitality added 2,000 jobs.