NASHVILLE — Scott County’s unemployment rate has reached its highest mark since local and national economies plunged into recession in 2008, climbing to 20.9% in June.
Figures released last week by the State Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development indicated an estimated local workforce of 8,160, of which 6,450 were gainfully employed and 1,710 were without work in June.
That represented a jump from May’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 19.6%.
Scott County’s unemployment rate topped 20% in April, at 20.2%, before sliding back under the 20% plateau in May.
The local increase was part of a statewide trend that saw unemployment rates increase in 72 counties, including every county adjoining Scott County.
However, the jobless increases in other counties in the region were modest compared to Scott County, which continues to see the impact of major layoffs reflected in the jobless picture.
In those counties adjoining Scott, Anderson County’s unemployment rate climbed from 9.2% to 9.4%; Campbell County’s unemployment rate climbed from 12.2% to 12.3%; Fentress County’s unemployment rate climbed from 11.7% to 11.8%; Morgan County’s unemployment rate climbed from 11.2% to 11.5%; and, Pickett County’s unemployment rate climbed from 13.4% to 13.9%.
Scott County’s unemployment rate was highest in the state for a fourth consecutive month. Next highest was Marshall County, at 16.7%. Lauderdale County (15.9%), Hancock County (15.8%) and Haywood County (15.7%) rounded out the top five.
Lincoln County (7.8%) featured the state’s lowest unemployment rate, followed by Williamson County (7.5%), Knox County (7.8%), Loudon County (8.0%) and Blount County (8.2%).
The state unemployment rate was 9.5% in June, down from 9.7% in May.
Tennessee Labor Commissioner James Neeley said the state experienced “moderate” employment growth during the May-to-June reporting period.
“Modest gains in areas like construction and leisure/hospitality were offset by job losses in education and census workers,” Neeley said.
Statewide, leisure/hospitality jobs increased by 5,000 jobs from May to June, while mining and construction added another 2,500 jobs and healthcare/social assistance added 2,300. Major employment decreases occurred in government (34,700), administrative/support/waste services (down 6,100) and private educational jobs (down 3,000).
Year-to-year employment gains were reported in administrative/support/waste services (up 10,000), federal government (6,700) and retail trade (up 5,100). Year-to-year decreases occurred in transportation/warehousing (down 6,200), mining and construction (down 5,100) and accomodation/food services (down 5,000).
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