Perhaps our most evident business asset is the caliber of our workforce. The hardworking, loyal and skilled employees within Taylor County and surrounding labor market area have proven time and time again that they possess the know-how to give their employers the upper hand.
Enhanced by an array of quality educational opportunities and our community’s steadfast dedication to implementing creative and effective workforce initiatives, Taylor County has positioned itself as an ideal location for successful, growing companies. Here’s a look at our workforce by the numbers.
Stakeholder collaboration, assessment and meaningful strategic planning has resulted in Taylor County’s distinct designation as a certified Kentucky Work Ready Community. The status, awarded by the state’s workforce investment board, is an assurance to employers locating or expanding in the community that they will find the talent and skills necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require.
The state’s Work Ready Communities program – the most rigorous workforce certification program in the nation – has the ability to transform a community. It encourages counties to take a credible inventory of the current and future workforce, identify the gaps and carry out strategies to achieve a more knowledgeable, trained workforce.
To become certified, Taylor County had to meet criteria in six areas including high school graduation rates, National Career Readiness Certificate holders, demonstrated community commitment, educational attainment, soft-skills development and digital literacy. For more information about the Kentucky Work Ready Communities program, go to http://workready.ky.gov.
In late 2019, Taylor County Schools unveiled the Central Kentucky Career Academy, a newly remodeled facility designed to house expanded programming directly aligned with industry demand in the region. Once the largest elementary school in the state, the renovated property now encompasses approximately 20,000 square feet of learning space, accommodating students from across the district, as well as nearby Green County students.
The Central Kentucky Career Academy was made possible thanks to a state grant from the Kentucky Work-Ready Skills Initiative, as well as local community support. Career pathways offered include: Welding, Health Sciences, Computer Science, Agriculture, Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Aviation, Construction, Wood Manufacturing, Arts, Allied Health, Style Assist and ROTC. For more information about Taylor County Schools and the Central Kentucky Career Academy, visit https://www.taylor.k12.ky.us/.
| Taylor County | Local Workforce Area | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Aug. 2025 | 2024 | Aug. 2025 | |
| Civilian Labor Force | 11,167 | 10,716 | 83,822 | 83,263 |
| Employed | 10,579 | 10,178 | 79,152 | 79,282 |
| Unemployed | 588 | 538 | 4,690 | 3,981 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 4.8 |
Source: Kentucky Center for Statistics
| Taylor County | Kentucky | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No High School Diploma | 9.6% | 10.2% | 10.0% |
| High School Graduate | 34.1% | 31.1% | 25.0% |
| Some College, No Degree | 26.7% | 20.2% | 19.3% |
| Associate’s Degree | 7.9% | 9.9% | 9.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 13.7% | 17.4% | 22.8% |
| Postgraduate Degree | 8.0% | 11.2% | 13.8% |
Source: JobsEQ (2025)
Source: Kentucky Center for Statistics (2025)
Taylor County
Taylor County LMA
Kentucky
United States
Source: JobsEQ