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Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Tennessee
Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as bandy around the idea of a by 2023. The last economic recession鈥攖he Great Recession of 2008-2010鈥攕ent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of October of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.2% higher than in September. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate , ranging from just 2.0% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in Illinois and 4.7% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Tennessee using data from the . Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in September 2022.
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#50. Claiborne County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 12,633 (408 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 12,633 (408 unemployed)
#49. Henderson County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 11,586 (370 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 11,586 (370 unemployed)
#48. Lawrence County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 19,009 (615 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 19,009 (615 unemployed)
#47. Roane County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 23,820 (762 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 23,820 (762 unemployed)
#46. Tipton County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 27,693 (875 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 27,693 (875 unemployed)
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#45. DeKalb County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,716 (258 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,716 (258 unemployed)
#44. Grainger County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 9,736 (322 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 9,736 (322 unemployed)
#43. Henry County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,989 (461 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,989 (461 unemployed)
#42. Lewis County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
- Total labor force: 5,620 (185 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
- Total labor force: 5,620 (185 unemployed)
#41. Monroe County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 20,694 (675 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 20,694 (675 unemployed)
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#40. Montgomery County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 87,540 (2,926 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.5%
- Total labor force: 87,540 (2,926 unemployed)
#39. Morgan County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 7,848 (259 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 7,848 (259 unemployed)
#38. Pickett County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.5%
- Total labor force: 2,130 (70 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.5%
- Total labor force: 2,130 (70 unemployed)
#37. White County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 11,369 (371 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: 0.0%
- Total labor force: 11,369 (371 unemployed)
#36. Fentress County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 7,342 (246 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 7,342 (246 unemployed)
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#35. Greene County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 27,708 (935 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 27,708 (935 unemployed)
#34. Jackson County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 4,733 (160 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 4,733 (160 unemployed)
#33. Stewart County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 5,274 (177 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 5,274 (177 unemployed)
#32. Carroll County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 11,112 (384 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 11,112 (384 unemployed)
#31. Dyer County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 15,635 (542 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 15,635 (542 unemployed)
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#30. Hancock County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 2,237 (79 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 2,237 (79 unemployed)
#29. Hawkins County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 23,009 (796 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 23,009 (796 unemployed)
#28. Marion County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 12,158 (422 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 12,158 (422 unemployed)
#27. Obion County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 11,936 (420 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 11,936 (420 unemployed)
#26. Hardin County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 9,765 (348 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 9,765 (348 unemployed)
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#25. Sequatchie County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 6,101 (221 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 6,101 (221 unemployed)
#24. Warren County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 16,164 (586 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 16,164 (586 unemployed)
#23. Benton County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 6,620 (248 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 6,620 (248 unemployed)
#22. Campbell County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,020 (556 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,020 (556 unemployed)
#21. McMinn County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 20,991 (785 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 20,991 (785 unemployed)
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#20. Unicoi County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 7,050 (264 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 7,050 (264 unemployed)
#19. Cumberland County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 22,050 (837 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 22,050 (837 unemployed)
#18. Houston County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 3,143 (120 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 3,143 (120 unemployed)
#17. Clay County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 2,710 (106 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.3%
- Total labor force: 2,710 (106 unemployed)
#16. Grundy County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,994 (201 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,994 (201 unemployed)
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#15. Hardeman County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 8,588 (344 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 8,588 (344 unemployed)
#14. Rhea County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,752 (551 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 13,752 (551 unemployed)
#13. Meigs County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 5,090 (210 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 5,090 (210 unemployed)
#12. Van Buren County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 2,022 (82 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 2,022 (82 unemployed)
#11. Cocke County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 14,354 (597 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 14,354 (597 unemployed)
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#10. Decatur County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,148 (179 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,148 (179 unemployed)
#9. McNairy County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 8,072 (349 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.1%
- Total labor force: 8,072 (349 unemployed)
#8. Wayne County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.8%
- Total labor force: 6,233 (269 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: +0.8%
- Total labor force: 6,233 (269 unemployed)
#7. Haywood County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 7,386 (327 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 7,386 (327 unemployed)
#6. Scott County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: +0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,928 (359 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: +0.4%
- Total labor force: 7,928 (359 unemployed)
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#5. Shelby County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 442,367 (19,993 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 442,367 (19,993 unemployed)
#4. Lake County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 1,576 (74 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: +0.2%
- Total labor force: 1,576 (74 unemployed)
#3. Lauderdale County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 9,398 (438 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 9,398 (438 unemployed)
#2. Bledsoe County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,256 (204 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: +0.7%
- Total labor force: 4,256 (204 unemployed)
#1. Perry County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -3.2%
- Total labor force: 2,679 (130 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -3.2%
- Total labor force: 2,679 (130 unemployed)
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