County Jobless Rate Drops Significantly In October

Nashville, TN (2011-11-23) The unemployment rate in Scott County dropped sharply in October, declining more than a full percentage point. For the first time in many months, the jobless rate is close to 2010 levels.

According to the latest numbers from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate in Scott County for October was 18.1 percent, a 1.4 percent decline over the month. Of the county’s estimated labor force of 8,130, 6,660 were employed. The remainder, 1,480 were jobless last month. While the rate dropped sharply, the county experienced limited job growth in October, adding 30 jobs over the month. The major factor for the decrease was a 100 person decrease in the estimated labor force.

In October 2010, the jobless rate in Scott County was also 18.1 percent.

In neighboring counties, the unemployment rate likewise decreased. In Anderson County, the jobless rate dipped from 8.8 percent in September to 8.1 percent in October. Campbell County experienced a 1.1 percent decline in joblessness, reporting an October unemployment rate of 10.6 percent. A 1.2 percent decrease in unemployment resulted in an October jobless rate of 10.0 percent in Fentress County. Morgan County reported a 0.4 percentage point decrease in joblessness in October, resulting in an unemployment rate of 10.1 percent. Pickett County enjoyed a 0.1 percentage point decrease in unemployment over the month, reporting an October rate of 13.7 percent.

Across the state, jobless rates increased in one county, decreased in 92 counties, and two counties remained the same.

Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 5.8 percent, down from the September rate of 6.6 percent, followed by Williamson County at 6.3 percent, down from 7.0 percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.1 percent, down from 19.5 percent in the previous month, followed by Obion County at 15.6 percent, down from 16.9 percent in September.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 6.7 percent, down from 7.7 percent the previous month. Hamilton County was 7.8 percent, down from 8.6 percent in September. Davidson County was 7.8 percent, down from 8.7 percent in September, and Shelby County was 10.1 percent, down from the September unemployment rate of 10.8 percent.