Scott Jobless Rate Down One-Half Percentage Point In November

Nashville, TN (2011-12-22) The Scott County jobless rate continued to improve in November, dropping 0.5 of percentage point over the month. Although the unemployment picture improved, Scott still reported the highest rate of joblessness in the state.

According to the latest statistics from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the jobless rate in Scott County for November was 17.6 percent, down from 18.1 percent in October. Of the county’s estimated labor force of 8,070, 6,650 were employed last month. Another 1,420 were still looking for work. A closer look at the statistics indicate the number of jobless workers declined by 60 over the month; however, the number of employed workers likewise declined by 10. The estimated labor force also decreased by 60 workers over the month implying they either moved or lost benefits over the period. A year ago, the unemployment rate in Scott County was 19.0 percent, 1.4 percent higher than today.

In neighboring counties, the unemployment rate decreased in four and increased in one. Pickett County, which reported a November rate of 14.5 percent, an increase of 0.8 percentage point, was the lone county that experienced an increase in joblessness. Anderson County’s November jobless rate was 7.7 percent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point. The unemployment rate in Campbell County dropped from 10.5 percent in October to 10.3 percent in November. Fentress County experienced a decrease of 0.5 percentage point over the month, dipping from 10.0 percent in October to 9.5 percent in November. The November jobless rate in Morgan County was 9.7 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percentage point over the month.

Lincoln County 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, 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.