McLean County unemployment hits 9% | Business

McLean County unemployment reached 9% in January, lower than it was a year ago but 1.5% higher than in December of 2012.  In all, 418 residents were without a job.  In December, the county's rate had dropped to 7.5%.

In Ohio County, unemployment went from 6.5% to 7.5% while in Hancock County, 312 residents remained out of work (7.3%) compared to 6.9% in December but still lower than the rate of 7.8% in January of 2012.

Unemployment rates fell in 83 Kentucky counties between January 2012 and January 2013, while 33 county rates increased and four stayed the same.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 6.5 percent; Oldham County, 6.6 percent; Shelby County, 6.7 percent; Madison County, 7 percent; Franklin County, 7.1 percent; Daviess and Scott counties, 7.2 percent each; and Anderson, Hancock and Union counties, 7.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 18.8 percent.