Eighty-four of Tennessee’s 95 counties recorded unemployment rates below 5% in January, even as most counties saw increases from the previous month, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Unemployment rates rose in 90 counties from December to January. Rates decreased in three counties and remained unchanged in two.
Williamson County reported the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.7%, up slightly from December. Cheatham and Wilson counties followed at 2.8%, both also increasing by one-tenth of a percentage point.
Perry County had the highest unemployment rate in January at 11.3%, a sharp increase of 6 percentage points from the previous month. Cocke County recorded the second-highest rate at 6.4%, followed by Pickett County at 6%.
Statewide, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in January, down slightly from December and below the national rate of 4.3%.
Unlike the statewide figure, county-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not account for typical seasonal changes in employment.
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you'll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
- Carrie Sharp
