Scott County's unemployment rate jumped one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.4% in the August to September reporting periods, according to figures released last week by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
That percentage translates into 720 people, of a workforce estimated at 8,600, being out of work over the month.
In the counties surronding Scott, three were down and one remain unchanged. With lower jobless rates were Anderson County at 3.9%, down from 4.2%; Campbell County at 5.2%, down from 5.4%; and Morgan County at 9.2%, down from 9.6%. Fentress County's rate remained unchanged over the month at 6.9%.
Across the state, 65 county unemployment rates decreased, 21 increased and nine remained the same. Williamson County at 2.6%, down from 2.7%, registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate. Lauderdale County at 14.8%, down from 15.3%, reported the state's highest jobless rate.
Knox County was at 2.8% in September, down from 2.8%, while Hamilton County's rate dropped to 3.6%, down from 3.9%. Davidson county was at 4.0%, up from 3.9%, while Shelby County remained unchanged over the month at 5.8%.
Statewide, the unemployment rate for September was 5.4%, up slightly from the seasonally adjusted August rate of 5.1%, according to Commission of Labor and Workforce Development James Neely. Neely said the state rate remains below the September national rate of 6.1%.
"the slight rise in Tennessee's month-to-month unemployment rate is partially due to seasonal drop-offs in the leisure and hospitality industry. This is fairly typical for this time of year," said Commissioner Neeley. "The September 2002 to September 2003 figures continue to show significant decreases in a few manufacturing industries, but we are seeing some good signals, too. The economy is rebounding especially in the service sector, but doing so very slowly. It will be a while before we see a significant turnaround."
The August-to-September figures show increases in local government educational service jobs, up by 9,400. Seasonal increases also occurred in state government educational service jobs, up by 6,300. Month-to-month seasonal decreases took place in accommodations and food service jobs, down by 3,700. Arts, entertainment and recreation jobs decreased by 1,900.
From September 2002 to September 2003, health care and social assistance jobs increased by 7,800. Administrative, support and waste management jobs increased by 4,600. Decreases took place in manufacturing, down by 11,000. construction jobs decreased by 4,700. Transportation and warehousing jobs declined by 4,000.
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