Unemployment up across region, state, nation

By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ

NASHVILLE – Unemployment rates are up across the board with the region, state and nation all reporting an increase in unemployment. This can largely be attributed to a boost in seasonal unemployment reflecting school employees on their yearly summer break.

All 14 of the Upper Cumberland counties reported higher unemployment in June 2022 than in May 2022; however, they were all lower than the rate reported in June 2021. 

The three counties that are part of the Nashville-Murfreesboro Metropolitan Statistical Area all had unemployment rates at or below the national rate of 3.8%, with Cannon and Macon at 3.8% and Smith at 3.7%.

The Upper Cumberland region had an unemployment rate of 4.6% slightly over the state’s 4.3%.

Van Buren County had the highest unemployment at 5.9%, followed closely by Clay County at 5.8%. Also above 5% were Warren (5.4%) and Cumberland (5.2%).

Unemployment across the remainder of the region also rose slightly with DeKalb (4.9%), Fentress (4.9%), Jackson (4.9%), Overton (4.1%), Pickett (4.8%), Putnam (4.2%) and White (4.7%).

Michelle Price is the former managing editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and can be reached via email. Send an email.

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