Scott County’s unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point in September, to 3.9%, according to new data released Thursday by the TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development.
The new unemployment rate reflects an estimated local work force of 8,819, of which 8,476 were employed and 343 were without work in September.
The local jobless rate is now at its lowest point since May 2026, when it was 3.8%.
The unemployment rate in Scott County followed a statewide trend by dropping from August’s rate of 4.4%. According to the Labor Department, the unemployment rate declined in all 95 counties across the state.
The state’s lowest unemployment rate is now found in a host of counties that are sitting at 2.7% — Williamson, Cheatham, Sevier, Trousdale, Macon, Wilson, Rutherford, and Dickson. Rounding out the 10 lowest unemployment rates are Bledsoe and Sumner counties, at 2.8%.
The state’s highest unemployment rate is Perry County’s 5.1%, followed closely by Hancock County’s 5.0%. Behind those two are Meigs and Hardeman counties at 4.6%, Lauderdale and Greene counties at 4.5%, Shelby, Lake and Pickett counties at 4.4%, and Decatur County at 4.3%.
Among counties adjoining Scott County, the lowest unemployment rate in September was found in Anderson County, at 3.1%. Campbell County had an unemployment rate of 3.4%, while Fentress County was at 3.3% and Morgan County checked in at 3.8%.
Among major metropolitan areas, Nashville had an unemployment rate of 2.9%, as did Knoxville. Chattanooga checked in at 3.4%, while Memphis was at 4.2%.
The statewide unemployment rate was 3.4% in September. The national unemployment rate was 4.2%.
