What is the unemployment rate in Tennessee right now?
Updated Apr. 3, 2026Refreshed monthly
About 3.6% in December 2025. That's unchanged from the month before. 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.
In December 2025,
3.6%
of the labor force was unemployed in Tennessee
December 2025 had a
+0
percentage point change from the previous month
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 December 2025, the unemployment rate in Tennessee was lower than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to December 2025
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.
In Tennessee, Maury County, TN had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7%. Cheatham County, TN had the lowest at 2.6%. Shelby County, TN, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 4.3%. The latest county-level data is from December 2025.
Unemployment rates in Tennessee counties ranged from 2.6% to 5.7% in December 2025.
Not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in Tennessee (December 2025)
| 1. | Maury County, TN | 5.7% |
| 2. | Lewis County, TN | 5.6% |
| 3. | Perry County, TN | 5.3% |
| 4. | Meigs County, TN | 5% |
| 5. | Hardeman County, TN | 4.8% |
| 6. | Hancock County, TN | 4.8% |
| 7. | Pickett County, TN | 4.8% |
| 8. | Greene County, TN | 4.6% |
| 9. | Lauderdale County, TN | 4.6% |
| 10. | Lawrence County, TN | 4.6% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
