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Jobless Rate Jumps To 5.6%
November 4, 2004
Scott CountyÕs unemployment rate increased seven-tenths of a percentage point to 6.5% in the August to September reporting periods, according to figures released last week by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
That percentage of local residents out of work is based on an estimated 8,750 in the workforce, with 8,180 being gainfully employed during the month and 570 on the jobless roll.
In counties surrounding Scott, one was up, one was down and three remained unchanged. Campbell CountyÕs unemployment rate rose from 4.2% in August to 4.3% in September; Morgan County saw a drop of two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6%; while Anderson (3.5%), Fentress (6.1%) and Pickett (4.1%) all remained the same.
Across the state, 42 counties had lower jobless rates in September, while 43 counties increased, and 10 remained the same.
Moore County registered the stateÕs lowest county unemployment rate at 2.5%, down from 3.3% in August. Houston CountyÕs rate of 14.4%, up from 12.4%, was the stateÕs highest.
Knox County had the lowest major metro rate of 2.8%, down from 2.9% in August. Hamilton County was 3.5%, down from 3.6% in August. Davidson County was at 3.9%, down from 4.0% in August, and Shelby County was 6.2%, up from 6.1% in August.
The statewide unemployment rate for September was 5.1%, down one percentage point from September 2003 when the rate registered 6.1%. The rate is slightly up from last monthÕs rate of 4.9%. Tennessee remains below the U.S. rate for September, which was 5.4%.
ÒThis month we are seeing decreases in leisure and hospitality jobs including accommodations and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation, which is fairly typical this time of year,Ó said Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley. ÒThe year-to-year drop in the rate is due to employment increases in trade/transportation/utilities, leisure and hospitality, and educational/health services.Ó
Major employment increases from month-to-month occurred in local government educational services, up 10,700 jobs. State government educational services jobs increased by 4,900. Month-to-month seasonal decreases occurred in leisure and hospitality jobs, losing 4,500 for the month. Financial activities employment dropped 600 jobs.
Year-to-year changes showed increases in leisure and hospitality, up 5,800 and trade/transportation/utilities up 5,100. Decreases occurred in professional/business services, down 1,900 jobs. State government jobs declined by 1,000 and jobs in information and gasoline stations dropped 800 each.
news@ihoneida.com
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