June 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
New data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed unemployment rates increased slightly during May in each of the state’s 95 counties. Even with the minimal increases, 93 of Tennessee’s 95 counties including DeKalb maintained rates lower than 5% for the month.
The DeKalb County unemployment rate for May was 3.9%, up from 3.4% in April but still below the rate of 4.5% in May 2021. The DeKalb Labor Force for May was 7,990. A total of 7,676 were employed while 314 were without work.
Williamson County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state for May. At 2.3%, its rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate of 2%. Moore County had the second-lowest rate at 2.5%, a 0.4 of a percentage point increase when compared to the previous month.
Perry County’s rate came in at 5.5%, the highest in the state. That represented a 0.4 of a percentage point increase from April’s rate of 5.1%. Bledsoe County had the second-highest rate in May at 5.1%, also a 0.4 of a percentage point increase for the month.
The increase in county unemployment followed the slightest uptick in the statewide unemployment rate in May. Tennessee’s jobless number inched up to 3.3% in May, just 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the state’s all-time low rate of 3.2%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates county and statewide unemployment rates differently. It does not factor in seasonal impacts on data when determining county unemployment rates, while it does seasonally adjust the statewide unemployment number.
Nationally, May’s unemployment rate mirrored April’s rate of 3.6%.
Job seekers can find all the resources and the services they need to start their search, all in one place. TNWorkReady.com is the site to find a new job, develop new skills, or find classes where adult learners can earn a high school equivalency diploma.
One-on-one help with a Career Specialist is also available at nearly 80 American Job Centers located in counties across Tennessee.