Jobless rate jumps from 6.3% to 7.1%

December 1, 2005

Scott County’s unemployment rate jumped eight-tenths of a percentage point during the latest reporting period, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

The local jobless rate climbed from 6.3 percent in September to 7.1 percent in October, the figures show. The unemployment rate is based on a local workforce of 8,390 persons, with 7,800 being employed during the month and 590 being without work.

The increase appeared to be part of a statewide trend, as 91 Tennessee counties saw their jobless rates increase during the September-to-October reporting period, while only three counties decreased and one remained the same.

That trend was also observed in counties surrounding Scott. Anderson County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in September to 5.0 percent in October. Campbell County saw an increase of eight-tenths of a percentage point to 5.8 percent. Fentress County’s rate increased from 5.8 percent to 6.4 percent. Morgan County’s rate climbed from 6.4 percent to 7.5 percent. Pickett County’s jobless rate climbed one percentage point to 6.5 percent.

Statewide, Williamson County once again reported the lowest jobless rate, with 3.5 percent being unemployed for the month of October, up from 3.2 percent in September. Lawrence County posted the state’s highest rate at 13.3 percent, up substantially from September’s rate of 9.4 percent.

In metropolitan counties, Knox County continued to note the state’s lowest jobless rate, at 4.1 percent — up from 3.6 percent in September — while Shelby County once again recorded the highest rate, 5.9 percent, up slightly from September’s rate of 5.7 percent. Hamilton County and Davidson County each reported unemployment rates of 4.6 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for October was 5.6 percent, up from the September revised rate of 5.1 percent. The national unemployment rate stood at 5.0 percent in October, down slightly from 5.1 percent in September.

“The household survey is showing a slight increase in unemployed persons this month, causing the rate to rise,” Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley said. “This rise may include effects of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf; however, we are still continuing to see job growth according to both the household and business surveys.”

The September-to-October figures show local government educational services jobs grew by 4,700. Retail employment grew by 3,700 and educational and health servvices employment rose 2,100. Month-to-month seasonal decreases took place in leisure and hospitality, down 5,800 jobs. Machinery manufacturing declined by 700 jobs and chemical manufacturing jobs decreased by 200.

From October 2004 to October 2005, trade/transportation/utilities increased by 8,200. Jobs in educational and health services rose by 6,500. Jobs also increased in food services/drinking places, up 3,600. Employment decreased in information by 1,900, accomodation by 1,800, and nondurable goods manufacturing by 1,600.

newsroom@ihoneida.com

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