Three UC counties dip below 5 percent unemployment in April

UPPER CUMBERLAND – Unemployment in three Upper Cumberland counties plunged below 5 percent in the month of April, and the entire region saw improvement over its March numbers as jobless rates across the country continue a downward slide.

In Tennessee, the number of people unemployed is the lowest since June 2008, according to the state’s Department of Labor. Much of the UC region seemingly reflects that trend.

Cannon (4.8), Macon (4.9) and Smith (4.9) carried the lowest rates in the region – all under 5 percent. Three other counties also had rates lower than the state’s percentage of 6.3, including DeKalb (5.7), Putnam (5.5) and Overton (6.2).

All 14 counties improved from the March report, including Warren (6.4), Fentress (6.7), Jackson (6.7), Cumberland (6.9), White (7.6), Clay (8.0), Van Buren (8.6) and Pickett (9.7). No UC county reported a jobless rate in double digits. That’s something the region couldn’t have said a year ago, when four were above the 9.9 percent mark, including Clay, Pickett, Van Buren and White. Overall, the region has seen a 2.6 percentage point decline in its unemployment year-to-year.

Tennessee’s unemployment of 6.3 for April was 0.4 percentage points lower than March’s revised rate of 6.7. The national rate was also 6.3 percent in April. The U.S. unemployment in March was 6.7 percent.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics attributes the drop to widespread employment gains nationwide, led by job growth in professional and business services, retail trade, food services and drinking places and construction.

Counties

April

March

April 2013

Cannon

4.8

5.7

6.6

Clay

8.0

10.0

10.2

Cumberland

6.9

8.7

9.6

DeKalb

5.7

6.7

8.5

Fentress

6.7

7.6

9.0

Jackson

6.7

8.2

8.6

Macon

4.9

6.0

7.7

Overton

6.2

8.1

8.8

Pickett

9.7

12.4

12.5

Putnam

5.5

6.5

7.6

Smith

4.9

6.6

7.6

Van Buren

8.6

10.4

11.9

Warren

6.4

7.7

9.1

White

7.6

8.9

11.1

TN

6.3

6.7

7.5

US

6.3

6.7

8.3

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