In June, all 95 counties in Tennessee experienced an uptick in unemployment rates, a trend attributed to seasonal employment fluctuations, particularly due to school vacations, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). While the overall state unemployment figure is adjusted for seasonal variations, the data at the county level remains unadjusted, making it more susceptible to temporary employment changes.
Despite the overall rise in unemployment, a significant number of counties—71 to be exact—managed to keep their rates below the 5% mark. Sevier and Cheatham counties recorded the lowest unemployment rates in the state at 3.2%. Close behind were Williamson and Wilson counties, which reported rates of 3.3%. On the other end of the spectrum, Perry County faced the highest unemployment rate at 6.2%, reflecting a notable increase of 1.4 percentage points from the previous month. Additionally, both Johnson and Meigs counties reported unemployment rates of 5.9%.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the state of Tennessee in June stood at 3.5%, while the national unemployment rate was slightly higher at 4.1%. For those seeking employment, Tennessee’s Virtual American Job Center provides a variety of resources, and individuals can also access in-person assistance at American Job Centers located throughout the state.
Looking ahead, the TDLWD is set to unveil the unemployment data for July on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. CDT.