Rhea's July unemployment rate at 5.1 percent

NASHVILLE — The July employment situation improved in counties across Tennessee, according to new data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

Seventy-seven counties reported lower unemployment than in June, while rates stayed the same in eight counties and increased in the remaining 10.

Rhea County’s unemployment rate for July was 5.1 percent, nearly the same as the June rate of 5.2 percent. A year ago, in July 2023, Rhea County’s unemployment rate was also 5.1 percent.

Unemployment was lower than 5 percent in 82 of the state’s 95 counties during the month, with the remaining 13 counties at or above 5 percent.

Sevier and Williamson counties recorded July’s lowest jobless rates, at 2.5 percent. The new statistics represented a 0.2 percentage point drop for each county compared to their June rates.

Cheatham and Wilson counties had Tennessee’s next lowest monthly unemployment rate at 2.7 percent. The Cheatham County rate dropped 0.1 of a percentage point, while Wilson County’s rate was down 0.2 of a percentage point.

Weakley County’s unemployment rate jumped 1.7 percentage points, from 4.5 percent to 6.2 percent, between June and July. That was the highest rate in the state.

Houston and Bledsoe counties had the state’s next highest unemployment rates at 5.5 percent. Houston County’s rate increased 0.6 of a percentage point, while Bledsoe County’s dropped 0.3 of a percentage point. Statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment in Tennessee remained at the record-setting low rate of 3 percent for the third month.

Nationwide, the jobless rate grew 0.2 of a percentage point in July to 4.3 percent.

The state and national rates are adjusted to account for any seasonal impact on employment, while the county rates are not.