UC unemployment numbers climb

By Amye Anderson
UCBJ Managing Editor

UPPER CUMBERLAND – Unemployment numbers across the region continued to climb northward in November but, on average, are still significantly lower than the figures reported for the same period in 2016.

Last week, the UCBJ reported the state’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.1 percent; up a tenth of a percentage point over the previous month and halting the state’s streak of record-breaking low rates, month after month.

While the county-by-county unemployment rates are up slightly across the UC, November’s rates are still significantly lower than those reported this time last year.

Clay (4.8), DeKalb (4.2), Fentress (4.1), Jackson (4.5), and Van Buren (4.1) counties reported unemployment rates above 4 percent. Meanwhile, Cannon (3.1), Macon (3.1), Putnam (3.3), and Smith (3.0) counties either matched or bested the state’s unemployment rate.

Counties November 2017 October 2017 November 2016
Cannon 3.1 2.8 4.6
Clay 4.8 4.1 6.6
Cumberland 3.9 3.3 5.9
DeKalb 4.2 3.8 5.5
Fentress 4.1 3.7 6.0
Jackson 4.5 4.0 7.1
Macon 3.1 2.7 4.4
Overton 3.7 3.6 5.1
Pickett 3.6 3.4 6.7
Putnam 3.3 2.9 4.9
Smith 3.0 2.6 4.4
Van Buren 4.1 3.4 5.8
Warren 3.5 3.5 4.7
White 3.5 3.2 5.3
UC 3.6 3.2 5.2
TN 3.3 3.0 4.7
US 3.9 3.9 4.4

Source: Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Amye Anderson is the managing editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and can be reached via email. Send an email.

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