What is the unemployment rate in Tennessee right now?
Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in Tennessee was at 3.6% in May 2026. 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 May 2026,
3.6%
of the labor force was unemployed in Tennessee
May 2026 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 May 2026, the unemployment rate in Tennessee was lower than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to May 2026
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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What counties in Tennessee have the highest and lowest unemployment?
In Tennessee, Perry County, TN had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3%. Williamson County, TN had the lowest at 2.4%. Davidson County, TN, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 2.7%. The latest county-level data is from May 2026.
Unemployment rates in Tennessee counties ranged from 2.4% to 5.3% in May 2026.
Unemployment rate, by county, not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in Tennessee (May 2026)
| 1. | Perry County, TN | 5.3% |
| 2. | Hancock County, TN | 4.7% |
| 3. | Pickett County, TN | 4.7% |
| 4. | Hardeman County, TN | 4.6% |
| 5. | Lewis County, TN | 4.5% |
| 6. | Maury County, TN | 4.5% |
| 7. | Meigs County, TN | 4.3% |
| 8. | Shelby County, TN | 4.3% |
| 9. | Lauderdale County, TN | 4.2% |
| 10. | Lake County, TN | 4.2% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
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.
