Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your hometown? If you’re considering a job change within your community, understanding the local job market is crucial. In this article, we highlight the cities in Kentucky with the lowest unemployment rates, giving you insight into where you might find your next opportunity.
While many people settle in a location due to job opportunities, others might be relocating for different reasons. If you’re contemplating a move to Kentucky and are eager to secure employment, knowing the strength of the job market in various cities is vital.
To provide you with accurate insights, we analyzed demographic data from the latest Census. We established a minimum population threshold to identify the cities in the Bluegrass State with the lowest unemployment rates:
- St. Matthews
- Shelbyville(Jobs)
- Fort Thomas(Jobs)
- Lyndon(Jobs)
- Independence(Jobs)
- Berea(Jobs)
- Georgetown(Jobs)
- Florence(Jobs)
- Lawrenceburg(Jobs)
- Jeffersontown(Jobs)
If you’re an employer seeking a vibrant community to relocate to, a low unemployment rate is a strong indicator of local economic health. St. Matthews stands out as the city in Kentucky with the lowest unemployment rate.
Continue reading to learn how we pinpointed these cities in Kentucky with the most promising job markets.
For more Kentucky job resources, check out:
How We Determined The Cities In Kentucky With The Lowest Unemployment Rates
To identify Kentucky’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000. This analysis yielded 39 potential candidates.
We then examined the unemployment rates from the latest American Community Survey data from the Census to rank these cities based on their job market strength.
Our ranking considers the unemployment rate as a key indicator of the likelihood of securing employment, whether you are making an intrastate, interstate, or intercity job move.
We ranked cities from one to 39, with one being the city with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher ranking.
If your city is not listed in the top ten, scroll down for a detailed chart. Otherwise, discover how the top ten cities achieved their standing.
1. St. Matthews
Population: 17,686
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
St. Matthews leads the pack with an impressive unemployment rate of 4.6%, making it the top contender for job seekers in Kentucky.
2. Shelbyville
Population: 14,558
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Coming in second, Shelbyville boasts a competitive unemployment rate of 4.9%, making it an attractive option for those seeking employment.
3. Fort Thomas
Population: 16,250
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Fort Thomas secures third place with a solid unemployment rate of 5.0%, reflecting its strong job market.
4. Lyndon
Population: 11,167
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Lyndon comes in at number four, with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, making it a viable option for job seekers.
5. Independence
Population: 25,638
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Independence ranks fifth with a favorable unemployment rate of 5.8%, indicating a healthy job market for its residents.
6. Berea
Population: 14,209
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Berea holds the sixth position with an unemployment rate of 6.3%, an encouraging statistic for potential movers.
7. Georgetown
Population: 30,349
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Georgetown also comes in with a 6.3% unemployment rate, showcasing its robust job market.
8. Florence
Population: 31,038
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Florence ranks eighth with an unemployment rate of 6.6%, making it a competitive city for job seekers.
9. Lawrenceburg
Population: 11,014
Unemployment Rate: 6.7%
Lawrenceburg finishes at number nine, with a 6.7% unemployment rate, showcasing a stable job environment.
10. Jeffersontown
Population: 26,862
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
Rounding out our list at number ten is Jeffersontown, with an unemployment rate of 6.8%, still making it a strong contender among Kentucky cities.
Summary of Unemployment Across Kentucky
These are the ten cities with the lowest unemployment rates in Kentucky, each with favorable job opportunities. If you’re considering a move to the Bluegrass State, these locations present the best prospects for employment.
For further insights into job markets across the U.S., visit www.zippia. If you’re a recent college graduate contemplating a move, check out which states college grads prefer to stay in versus those they leave.
For reference, here’s a quick look at cities with higher unemployment rates in Kentucky:
- Bardstown
- Hopkinsville
- Middlesborough
Detailed List Of Cities With The Lowest Unemployment In Kentucky
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| St. Matthews | 1 | 4.6% |
| Shelbyville | 2 | 4.9% |
| Fort Thomas | 3 | 5.0% |
| Lyndon | 4 | 5.6% |
| Independence | 5 | 5.8% |
| Berea | 6 | 6.3% |
| Georgetown | 7 | 6.3% |
| Florence | 8 | 6.6% |
| Lawrenceburg | 9 | 6.7% |
| Jeffersontown | 10 | 6.8% |
| Lexington-Fayette Urban County | 11 | 6.9% |
| Madisonville | 12 | 7.0% |
| Shepherdsville | 13 | 7.1% |
| Erlanger | 14 | 7.3% |
| Elizabethtown | 15 | 7.4% |
| Somerset | 16 | 7.6% |
| Mount Washington | 17 | 7.7% |
| Campbellsville | 18 | 7.8% |
| Owensboro | 19 | 8.0% |
| Danville | 20 | 8.1% |
| Paducah | 21 | 8.6% |
| Frankfort | 22 | 8.6% |
| Shively | 23 | 8.7% |
| Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Balance) | 24 | 9.2% |
| Winchester | 25 | 9.4% |
| Henderson | 26 | 9.4% |
| Bowling Green | 27 | 9.5% |
| Richmond | 28 | 9.8% |
| Newport | 29 | 10.0% |
| Glasgow | 30 | 10.1% |
| Nicholasville | 31 | 10.2% |
| Ashland | 32 | 11.0% |
| Murray | 33 | 11.2% |
| Mayfield | 34 | 11.2% |
| Covington | 35 | 11.9% |
| Radcliff | 36 | 12.2% |
| Middlesborough | 37 | 13.3% |
| Hopkinsville | 38 | 14.9% |
| Bardstown | 39 | 17.0% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
