An increase in Tennessee?s unadjusted labor force participation had a slight impact on county unemployment rates in December. According to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, unemployment increased in 87 counties during the month. Five counties saw rates go down, while the numbers remained the same in three counties.
The new county-level data comes after Tennessee recorded its lowest statewide unemployment rate in two years. The December 2021 seasonally adjusted figure of 3.8% was down 0.2 of a percentage point from November and the lowest the state has recorded since January 2020.
Williamson County topped the list of counties with the lowest unemployment in December. It recorded a rate of 2.1%.
In Warren Co. the rate increased 0.4 percent from 3.5 percent in November to 3.9 percent in December. One year ago the rate was 5.9 percent . In White Co. it was 3.3 percent, up 0.4 percent from November to December. In December 2020 it was 5.3 percent. In Van Buren Co. it was 4.4 percent in December, up 0.4 percent from November. In December 2020 it was 7.1 percent.
Nationally, unemployment for the month dropped 0.3 of a percentage point to 3.9%.