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Local unemployment rate increases by 0.4 percent
By BEN GARRETT
Independent Herald Editor
August 31, 2006
Scott County’s unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point in July, according to figures released last week by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
Statistics show that the county’s rate increased from 8.2 percent to 8.6 percent during the June-to-July reporting period. Those figures are based on an estimated local work force of 8,300, with 7,590 persons being employed for the month and 710 being without work.
Across the state, the unemployment rate reflected a similar change. The statewide unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in July, up from 5.6 percent in June. Individually, 52 counties saw increased jobless rates in July, while 34 posted decreased rates and nine remained the same.
Williamson County continued to register the state’s lowest unemployment rate, at 3.4 percent, down from 3.6 percent in June. Lawrence County had the state’s highest rate, at 13.8 percent, up from 12.5 percent in June.
In major metropolitan counties, Knox County posted the state’s lowest rate, at 4.3 percent, down from 4.5 percent in June. Davidson County was second-lowest, at 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in June. Hamilton County posted a jobless rate of 5.3 percent, down from 5.4 percent in June, while Shelby County reported an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent, unchanged from June.
In counties surrounding Scott, Anderson County posted the lowest jobless rate, at 5.2 percent, down 0.3 percent from June. Campbell County’s rate was 6.5 percent, also down 0.3 percent from June. Morgan County’s jobless rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.5 percent in June, while Fentress County posted an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, up 0.8 percent from June, and Pickett County reported a rate of 8.6 percent, up 0.7 percent from June.
The national unemployment rate for the month of July is 4.8, up from the June rate of 4.6 percent.
“Employment growth for Tennessee has been significant in the past year with 2.4 percent, versus only 1.6 percent for the nation, according to the household survey,” Comissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley said. “Similar to last month, the unemployment rate rose from June due largely to an increase in the number of people seeking employment.”
The June-to-July business survey shows increases in arts, entertainment and recreation, up 1,000 jobs. Employment in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 800. Hospital employment increased by 700 jobs. Seasonal month-to-month employment decreases took place in local government educational services, with 12,600 jobs lost. Manufacturing employment dropped by 4,500 jobs, mostly due to seasonal shutdowns. State government educational services lost 3,100 jobs.
From July 2005 to July 2006, trade, transportation and utilities jobs increased by 10,500. Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose by 8,800 and educational and health services jobs increased by 7,100. Employment decreased in manufacturing by 5,800, food and beverage stores by 1,500 and federal government jobs by 700.
news@ihoneida.com
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