Unemployment Fell in 93 of Tennessee's 95 Counties in July, State Data Shows

Unemployment rates dropped in nearly every Tennessee county in July, according to county-level data the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released on Aug. 27. Rates fell in 93 of the state's 95 counties; Obion County held steady and Weakley County was the only one where the rate rose.

Lowest and highest rates

Cheatham, Sevier, Williamson and Dickson counties tied for the state's lowest July rate at 2.8%. Cheatham's rate fell 0.2 percentage point from June, while Sevier, Williamson and Dickson each fell 0.3 point.

At the other end, Perry County had the highest rate at 5.8%, down 0.3 point from June, followed by Hancock County at 5.7%, down 0.1 point, and Weakley County at 5.3%, up 0.4 point. Six counties sat at 5% or above, while 89 were below that level.

The statewide picture

The county report follows the state's announcement earlier in August that its seasonally adjusted July rate was 3.4%, a two-year low, compared with a U.S. rate of 4.1%. In Cumberland County, the July rate was 4.2%, down from 4.5% in June and 0.5 point below July 2025, according to 102.5 WOW Country.

The department said statewide August figures were scheduled for release on Sept. 17.

Sources: WVLT, Chattanoogan, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.