What is the unemployment rate in Tennessee right now?
Data updated November 8, 2024
About 3.2% in September 2024. That’s a 0.2 percentage point decrease from the previous year. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It’s a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
Showing data for
In September 2024,
3.2%
of the labor force was unemployed in Tennessee
September 2024 had a
-0.2
percentage point change from September 2023
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.
In September 2024, the unemployment rate in Tennessee was lower than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to September 2024
Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher . Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
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In Tennessee, Weakley County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.2%. Both Sevier County and Williamson County had the lowest at 2.5%. Shelby County, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 5.0%. The latest county-level data was from July 2024.
Unemployment rates in Tennessee counties ranged from 2.7% to 5.5% in September 2024.
Not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in Tennessee (September 2024)
| 1. | McNairy County, TN | 5.5% |
| 2. | Houston County, TN | 5.4% |
| 3. | Bledsoe County, TN | 5.2% |
| 4. | Lake County, TN | 5.1% |
| 5. | Shelby County, TN | 4.9% |
| 6. | Lauderdale County, TN | 4.8% |
| 7. | McMinn County, TN | 4.7% |
| 8. | Van Buren County, TN | 4.7% |
| 9. | Meigs County, TN | 4.7% |
| 10. | Hardeman County, TN | 4.6% |
