Scott Jobless Rate Spikes In December

Nashville, TN (2012-01-26) The unemployment rate in Scott County spiked in December, climbing by more than a full percentage point. Recently announced layoffs in Anderson County will have a negative impact on the statistics by April.

According to the latest statistics from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate in Scott County in December was 18.8 percent, an increase of 1.3 percent over the month—the greatest percentage increase of any county in the state. Of the county’s estimated labor force of 8,080, 6,560 were employed last month, 90 less than in November. The number of unemployed workers climbed to 1,520 persons, an increase of 100 people. Scott County has had the state’s highest unemployment since March 2010.

The recently announced closure of the Food Lion distribution center in Clinton will also affect the local jobless picture. While located in Anderson County, an estimated 50 people from Scott County work at the facility. When those dislocated worker file for jobless benefits, they will be added to the Scott County unemployment statistics, as unemployment statistics are based on the worker’s county of residence, not the location of the employer.

In neighboring counties, the unemployment rate increased in two, decrease in two and remained unchanged in the other. The jobless rate rose in Morgan and Pickett Counties. In December, the unemployment rate in Morgan County was 9.7 percent, an increase of 0.3 percentage point. Pickett County experienced a 0.4 percentage point increase over the month, reporting a December rate of 14.9 percent. The jobless rates in Anderson and Campbell Counties both dipped by 0.3 percentage point over the month. Anderson reported a December rate of 7.4 percent, while Campbell County’s December rate was 10.2 percent. Fentress County’s jobless picture remained unchanged over the month, staying at 9.5 percent.

Across the state, unemployment rates decreased in 56 counties, increased in 27 and remained unchanged in 12.

Williamson and Lincoln counties registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 5.4 percent. Both counties had higher rates in November with Williamson at 5.8 percent and Lincoln at 5.6 percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.8 percent, followed by Obion County at 15.3, which was unchanged from the November rate.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 5.9 percent, down from 6.3 percent in November. Davidson County was 6.9 percent, down from 7.3 percent in the previous month. Hamilton County was 7.2 percent, down from 7.4 percent, and Shelby County was 8.8 percent, down from the November unemployment rate of 9.3 percent.