Bedford unemployment shows sharp decrease

Bedford County's jobless rate fell nearly a full percentage point in July to 11.8 percent, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the state's department of labor and workforce development.

Estimates for the county showed a labor force of 22,240 in July, with 19,610 working and 2,630 unemployed.

Revised figures for June showed that the county had a unemployment rate of 12.6 percent, reflecting a drop of 0.8 percent. At this time last year, the county's jobless rate was 13.1 percent.

Tennessee's unemployment rate for July was 9.8 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from the revised June rate of 10.0 percent.

The state's jobless rate last year was at 10.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for July was 9.5 percent, unchanged from the June rate.

"Tennessee has employment growth of 1.7% over the past year resulting in an unemployment rate that has fallen by over one percentage point," Labor Commissioner James Neeley said.

"The U.S. rate of employment shows a decline in employment and a slight rise in the unemployment rate over that same period."

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for July also show that the rate decreased in 87 counties, increased in 5 counties and remained the same in three counties.

Neighboring Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 6.4 percent, down from 6.7 percent in June.

Scott County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 19.4 percent, down from 20.8 percent, followed by neighboring Marshall County at 15.7 percent, down from 16.6 percent in the previous month.

Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.5 percent, down from 7.8 percent in June. Davidson County was 9.3 percent, up from 9.0 percent. Hamilton County was 8.4 percent, down from 9.1 in June, and Shelby County was 9.9 percent, down from 10.5.

According to the Business Survey, healthcare and social assistance increased by 1,200; administrative, support, and waste services added 900 jobs, clothing and clothing accessories stores increased by 500, and state government educational services increased by 500 jobs.

Major employment decreases occurred in accommodation and food services, down by 3,900; federal government declined by 2,200; and mining and construction declined by 2,000 jobs.

Year-over-year increases occurred in administrative, support, and waste services, up by 15,000; health care and social assistance gained 5,400; and retail trade was up by 4,800.

Decreases year-over-year occurred in mining/construction, down by 6,800; accommodation/food services lost 6,400; and transportation and warehousing decreased by 5,100.