Kentucky State Profile

Unemployment hits record high and is among worst in the nation; despite spending cuts, budget shortfall increases as income and sales tax revenue decline; relatively low property values keep homeowners' property tax costs among lowest in US.

• State job growth fell 4.7% in August 2009 from a year ago; national job growth fell 4.4%.
• State unemployment averaged 11.1% in August 2009; the national average was 9.7%
• Personal income fell 3.4% to $134 billion in Q2 2009 from a year ago.
• Tax revenue fell 7.7% in Q2 2009 from the previous year.
• Exports fell 17.7% to $9.6 billion in the first seven months of 2009 from a year ago.