County unemployment shows slight rise

The county reportedly had a labor force of 22,990, with 21,680 working and a total of 1,310 out of work. The rate was 1.4 percent higher than this time last year, when the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent.

Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was at 5.3 percent, 0.4 percent higher than the January rate of 4.9 percent. The United States unemployment rate for the month of February was 4.8 percent.

"The rise in the February unemployment rate indicates that Tennessee's economy is slowing, consistent with national trends," said Commissioner James Neeley. "Year-to-year employment growth is weak with declines in manufacturing. Employment in the service sector continues to experience positive growth."

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for February show that 82 counties increased. The rate decreased in seven counties and remained the same in six counties.

County unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted and therefore reflect seasonal expansions and layoffs that occur during the year.

The state and U.S. unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted to eliminate normal seasonal fluctuations and to indicate a more accurate measurement of actual economic change.

Williamson County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 3.9 percent, up from the January rate of 3.5. Perry County had the state's highest at 11.6 percent, up from 10.2 in January, followed by Pickett County at 11.4 percent, up from 10.6 in January.

Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate at 4.3 percent, up from 3.8 in January. Davidson County was 4.5 percent, up from 4.2 in January. Hamilton County was at 4.6 percent the same as the January rate, and Shelby County was 5.9 percent, up from the January rate of 5.6.

January-to-February gains occurred in state government educational services employment increasing by 3,400; educational and health services employment increased 2,800; and jobs in transportation equipment increased 1,900. Month-to-month declines included retail trade employment, down 2,800. Financial activities employment lost 700 jobs, and hospital employment lost 400 jobs from January.

Over-the-year increases led with gains of 8,800 jobs in educational and health services. Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 4,900; and government jobs were up 3,800. Manufacturing jobs were down from a year ago with employment decreasing by 14,200; financial activities employment lost 1,400 jobs.