Jobless rate down to 9.2%

The jobless rate for Bedford County fell again in November to 9.2 percent, according to preliminary numbers released Thursday by the state's department of labor.

Labor force estimates for Bedford County showed 20,970 employed out of a work force of 23,110, meaning that an estimated 2,140 are without a job.

Tennessee's unemployment rate for November fell to 9.1 percent, down from the October revised rate of 9.5, while the national unemployment rate for November was 8.6 percent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point from the October rate.

"This is the lowest unemployment rate Tennessee has experienced since January of 2009 at 9.0 percent," Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis said. "After seasonal adjustments were made, nearly 10,000 jobs were created since October with positive job growth in the service sector such as retail trade and temporary jobs."

County numbers

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for November show that the rate decreased in 79 counties, increased in 12 counties, and four counties remained the same.

Neighboring Lincoln County once again registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 5.6 percent, down from the October rate of 5.8 percent, followed by Williamson County at 5.8 percent, down from 6.3 percent.

Scott County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent, down from 18.1 percent in the previous month, followed by Obion County at 15.2, down from 15.6 percent in October.

Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate of 6.3 percent, down from 6.7 percent in October. Davidson County was 7.3 percent, down from 7.8 percent in the previous month.

Hamilton County was 7.4 percent, down from 7.8 percent, and Shelby County was 9.4 percent, down from the October unemployment rate of 10.0 percent.

Other figures

The state's unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted to account for the hiring and layoff patterns that accompany regular events such as the winter holiday season and the summer vacation season.

From October to November, trade/transportation/utilities increased 9,200, of which 8,900 was in retail trade; and professional and business services was up by 7,100, and government increased by 1,500 jobs.

During the same period, arts, entertainment, and recreation decreased by 1,800 jobs; wholesale trade was down 1,400; and durable goods manufacturing declined by 400 jobs.

Year-over-year increases took place in local government education services up 12,300 jobs; professional and business services was up 9,000; and manufacturing increased by 5,400.

Employment decreases took place in retail trade, which was down by 4,700 jobs; merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods were down 1,600; and hospitals declined by 1,400 jobs.