Unemployment rates fall across all Tennessee counties

Unemployment dropped in every Tennessee county in August, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Ninety counties reported jobless rates under 5%, while the other five were at 5% or higher. Perry County posted the highest rate at 5.4%, down 1.5 points from July. Hardeman, Lauderdale, and Meigs counties each recorded rates of 5.1%. Sevier County had the lowest unemployment rate for the third month in a row at 2.7%, followed by Cheatham at 2.8% and Williamson at 2.9%. The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.6% in August. County rates are not seasonally adjusted. State officials said the September unemployment report will be released Oct. 16.