Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in May

NASHVILLE – New data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) shows strong job market performance across the state in May, with 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties reporting unemployment rates below 5%.

In 69 counties, unemployment rates decreased from April to May. Rates remained the same in 18 counties and increased in eight counties.

Williamson County reported the state’s lowest unemployment rate for May at 2.4%, down three-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.

Three counties — Cheatham, Dickson, and Knox — followed with rates of 2.5%.

Sevier, Wilson, Rutherford, Sumner, Macon, and Blount counties rounded out the list of the lowest unemployment rates for the month. All had rates of 2.6%.

Perry County was the only county whose unemployment rate was above 5% in May. At 5.3%, the rate was the same as last month.

In the tri-counties of Carroll, Henry and Weakley, Carroll reported an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in May, compared to 3.9 percent one month and one year earlier. From a labor force of 12,243, there were 11,782 employed and 461 unemployed.

Henry County recorded an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, compared to 4.0 one month earlier, and 3.9 percent one year earlier. From a labor force of 12,877, there were 12,389 employed and 488 unemployed.

Weakley County recorded an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, compared to 3.8 one month earlier and 3.9 one year earlier. From a labor force of 13,841, there were 13,312 employed and 529 unemployed.

For the fourth month in a row, Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate was 3.6% in May. Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment.