By Amye Anderson
UCBJ Managing Editor
UPPER CUMBERLAND – December was a less than stellar month for sales tax collections in the Upper Cumberland, with many counties reporting little change or even a decline compared to the same period in 2016.
Overall, the UC collected $21,628,308 during the period – a 2.7 percent increase compared to the previous year. However, the region continued to lag behind the state, which reported a 8.7 percent increase in sales tax collections for the same period.
Only three UC counties reported double-digit percentage gains. Pickett County reported the largest gains – a 75.3 percent change in sales tax collections compared to the previous year – followed by Overton (14.6) and Smith (10.2).
Counties reporting a dip in collections, Cannon (-1.0), Clay (0.2), Fentress (-5.8), Jackson (-28.1), Warren (-0.3), and White (-12.0).Rounding out the UC are Cumberland (4.0), DeKalb (0.3), Macon (1.6), Putnam (4.6) counties.
Collections, considered just one measure of economic activity, are based on state sales taxes; local option taxes are excluded. Data lags by one month; for example, December numbers reflect November activity.
| Counties | December | Year Prior | Percent Change |
| Cannon | $353,469 | $357,209 | -1.0 |
| Clay | $216,654 | $217,114 | -0.2 |
| Cumberland | $4,160,486 | $4,001,166 | 4.0 |
| DeKalb | $807,437 | $804,672 | 0.3 |
| Fentress | $751,330 | $797,293 | -5.8 |
| Jackson | $151,400 | $210,572 | -28.1 |
| Macon | $1,076,661 | $1,060,168 | 1.6 |
| Overton | $944,370 | $824,365 | 14.6 |
| Pickett | $251,736 | $143,612 | 75.3 |
| Putnam | $8,521,861 | $8,147,204 | 4.6 |
| Smith | $915,825 | $831,136 | 10.2 |
| Van Buren | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Warren | $2,205,925 | $2,212,353 | -0.3 |
| White | $1,271,154 | $1,444,742 | -12.0 |
| UC | $21,628,308 | $21,051,606 | 2.7 |
| TN | $730,212,000 | $671,592,000 | 8.7 |
Source: Compiled by the Upper Cumberland Development District from data published by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
