Unemployment Rates Ticked Upward in June

TENNESSEE (July 24) — Unemployment rates increased in all 95 counties in June, according to new data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state’s data follows a national trend of increased unemployment.

Carroll, Henry and Weakley counties were not immune to the rise in unemployment.

In Carroll County, 615 people from a labor force of 12,146 were unemployed in June. The county’s unemployment rate increased by 1.2 points, rising from 3.9 percent unemployment in May to 5.1 percent unemployment in June. In June 2024, Carroll County’s unemployment rate was reported to be 4.6 percent.

In Henry County, 616 people from a labor force of 13,106 were unemployed in June. The county’s unemployment rate increased by 0.8 points, rising from 3.9 percent unemployment in May to 4.7 percent unemployment in June. In June 2024, Henry County’s unemployment rate was reported to be 4.4 percent.

In Weakley County, 690 people from a labor force of 13,801 were unemployed in June. The county’s unemployment rate increased by 1.2 points, rising from 3.8 percent unemployment in May to 5 percent unemployment in June. In June 2024, Weakley County’s rate was marginally higher, with 5.1 percent of the labor force identifying as unemployed.

Carroll and Henry counties were two of 24 counties with unemployment rates of 5 percent or greater. The rest of Tennessee’s 71 counties had unemployment rates of less than 5 percent.

Perry, Johnson and Meigs counties had the highest unemployment rates in the state in June. Perry County, ranked last in the state, had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent.

Sevier, Cheatham and Williamson counties had the lowest unemployment rates in June. Sevier County topped the ranking with an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent.

Tennessee’s overall unemployment rate in June was 3.5 percent. It was lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

Similar data reports from last year indicate that unemployment rates typically rise in the summer months due to seasonal jobs, but some national outlets report concerns about a potentially fragile labor market due to low job availability. Nationwide, the highest growth in jobs appeared in the health sector — with over half of the growing jobs being in ambulatory services, such as doctor’s offices and clinics.