Unemployment Rate Shows Slight Increase

July 29, 2004

Scott County's unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point from May to June, to 6.9 percent, according to figures released last week by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The percentage is based on an estimated workforce of 8,720, with 8,120 being employed during the month and 600 out of work.

The upward trend in the jobless rate was also experienced in all counties surrounding Scott, with the exception of Campbell, where the rate dropped from 4.6 percent in May to 4.4 percent in June.

Anderson County experienced a half of a percentage point increase to 3.8 percent; Fentress County's rate was up almost a full percentage point, going from 5.9 percent in May to 6.8 percent in June; Morgan County's rate jumped 1.2 percent to 6.7 percent for the month; and Pickett County's rate climbed 1.3 percent to 6.7 percent.

Across the state, 79 counties experienced higher unemployment rates, eight counties decreased and eight remained the same.

Williamson County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 2.5 percent, up from 2.3 percent in May. Clay County's rate of 12.3 percent, up from 10.6 percent in May, was the state's highest.

In metropolitan counties, Knox continued to have the state's lowest jobless rate at 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in May. Hamilton County was 3.5 percent, up from 3.3 percent. Davidson was at 4.0 percent, up from 3.6 percent in May, and Shelby County was 5.9 percent, up from 5.2 percent.

Statewide, the jobless rate for June was 4.5 percent, down 1.4 percentage points from June 2003 when the rate registered 5.9 percent, and down from the May rate of 4.8 percent. The U.S. rate, which was 6.3 percent for June a year ago, was unchanged from May at 5.6 percent.

"Typical seasonal factors are apparent in the month-to-month changes," said Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley. "Construction was up 1,700 jobs from May, and tourism-related increases are reflected in leisure/hospitality, up by 5,000. Major employment decreases also followed normal patterns, with schools closing from the summer showing in government employment, which lost 12,300 for the month, and educational services, which was down by 2,800."

Year-to-yar changes showed increases in trade/transportation/utilities, up by 7,100 jobs, and leisure/hospitality, up by 6,200. Decreases occurred in state government, down by 900, and merchant wholesalers, gasoline stations, information services and electronic equipment/appliances, each down by 800.

Neeley noted that the manufacturing job-loss rate continues to slow. From June 2003 to June 2004, manufacturing was down by only 600; in comparison, manufacturing for a year ago (June 2000 to June 2003) was down 17,300.

news@ihoneida.com

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