In September, Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This release of data was postponed due to interruptions at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which were a result of the federal government shutdown. Notably, Tennessee’s unemployment rate remains lower than the national average, which stands at 4.4%.
During the month of September, the state saw an increase of 3,400 nonfarm jobs. The sectors that contributed most significantly to this growth included accommodation and food services, durable goods manufacturing, and government employment. Over the course of the past year, Tennessee has added a total of 35,800 nonfarm jobs, with notable expansions in government, leisure and hospitality, as well as professional and business services.
Examining the unemployment rates at the county level reveals that nearly all counties in Tennessee reported rates below 5% in September. Only four counties experienced unemployment rates of 5% or higher, with Perry County recording the highest rate at 5.6%. In contrast, Sevier and Williamson counties boasted the lowest unemployment rates at 2.8%, while Cheatham County followed closely with a rate of 2.9%.
When comparing data from August to September, it was observed that unemployment rates decreased in 27 counties, remained unchanged in 39, and increased in 29 counties. It is important to note that these county-level rates are not seasonally adjusted. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development plans to release updates regarding unemployment data for October and November as that information becomes available.