UPPER CUMBERLAND – The Upper Cumberland saw good growth in terms of state sales tax collections in May.
The region posted a 7.1 percent gain over last year’s numbers, according to data released in June by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Only two counties, DeKalb (-9.7) and Pickett (-3.0), had losses.
Putnam, the region’s largest collector, had a 4.8 percentage point gain, while Cumberland (11.3) and Warren (8.9), the region’s second and third largest, respectively, also posted increases. The UC had six other counties with double digit improvements, including Cannon (19.8), White (13.9), Overton (12.4), Van Buren (12.0), Jackson (11.5) and Smith (10.3). Rounding out the rest of the region were Macon (7.5), Fentress (4.0) and Clay (0.7).
Collections in Tennessee were up 9.1 percent year-to-year. The UC is outpacing the state – however slightly – over the latest 12 months. Collections are up 5.8 percent region-wide, compared to 5.7 percent for Tennessee.
Collections, which are considered just one measure of economic activity, are based on state sales taxes; local option taxes are excluded. Sales data lags by one month; for example, May numbers reflect April activity.
| Counties | May | Year prior | Percent change |
| Cannon | $349,524 | $291,641 | 19.8 |
| Clay | $209,316 | $207,890 | 0.7 |
| Cumberland | $4,116,104 | $3,697,931 | 11.3 |
| DeKalb | $780,546 | $864,081 | -9.7 |
| Fentress | $694,578 | $667,976 | 4.0 |
| Jackson | $182,149 | $163,391 | 11.5 |
| Macon | $987,548 | $918,364 | 7.5 |
| Overton | $848,838 | $755,137 | 12.4 |
| Pickett | $159,967 | $164,991 | -3.0 |
| Putnam | $8,130,788 | $7,757,380 | 4.8 |
| Smith | $900,440 | $816,196 | 10.3 |
| Van Buren | $96,043 | $85,723 | 12.0 |
| Warren | $2,179,892 | $2,002,507 | 8.9 |
| White | $1,209,555 | $1,061,867 | 13.9 |
| UCDD | $20,845,288 | $19,455,075 | 7.1 |
| TN | $643,705,000 | $590,248,000 | 9.1 |
Source: Compiled by the Upper Cumberland Development District from data published by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
