47 Tennessee counties saw rate declines in Aug.; 20 counties stayed the same
Unemployment rates declined in nearly half Tennessee’s counties in Aug. and remained the same in 20 counties, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Forty-seven of the state’s 95 counties saw a drop in their unemployment rates from July to August. Rates increased in 28 counties and stayed the same in 20 counties. All but three counties had rates below 5%.
- Sevier County in East Tennessee recorded the state’s lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.5%. The rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the county’s July rate of 2.4%.
- Moore County had the next lowest rate for Aug. at 2.6%, a decrease of three-tenths of a percentage point from July.
- Williamson County followed with a rate of 2.7%, a one-tenth of a percentage point increase.
- Houston County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 5.7%, a one-fifth of a percentage point increase over its July rate.
- McNairy County reported the second-highest rate at 5.2%, which was unchanged over the previous month.
- Bledsoe County’s rate was 5% in Aug., a six-tenths of a percentage point drop from its rate of 5.6% in July.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.1% in Aug., just a one-tenth of a percentage point increase after three consecutive months of record-low rates. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in Aug.
Unlike the state and national rates, county unemployment rates are not adjusted to consider seasonal impacts such as school breaks. County numbers will be announced soon. Check back for details.
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