Unemployment Rates Decrease In Every TN County

Record high unemployment rates recorded in counties across Tennessee in April experienced sizable decreases as the state slowly reopened in May 2020, according to preliminary data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

All 95 of Tennessee’s counties had lower unemployment rates in May, compared to the number of individuals who could not work in April when many businesses closed in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Lewis County showed a decrease of 13.1 percent from 19.8 percent. Unemployment in surrounding counties also decreased: Hickman County, 8.7 percent from 13.4 percent; Maury County, 15.8 percent from 21.8 percent; Lawrence County, 12.9 percent from 18.4 percent; Perry County, 17.1 percent from 23.2 percent; and Wayne, 9.6 percent from 12.7 percent.

Even with marked improvement, 42 counties had unemployment rates greater than 5 percent, but less than 10 percent. Fifty-three counties, more than half of the counties in the state, had rates greater than 10 percent, but less than 20 percent.

The statewide unemployment statistic from May also decreased significantly. The new preliminary rate of 11.3 percent is down from the revised April rate of 15.5 percent.

Nationwide, unemployment decreased to 13.3 percent in May, down from the 14.7 percent rate recorded the month before.

Unlike the statewide rate, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.