RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENN – Ninety-three of Tennessee’s 95 counties recorded lower unemployment rates in August 2023, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Unemployment for the month remained unchanged in Cheatham and Lauderdale counties. Ninety-three counties recorded rates below 5% in August, while two had rates slightly above the 5% mark.

In Rutherford County, the August unemployment rate was 2.7%, which is 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous month of July when the rate was 2.9%. Smyrna's jobless numbers for the month of August were 0.2 points lower than July, which means Smyrna continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the county at 2.6%. Murfreesboro had the second lowest unemployment rate in Rutherford County at 2.8%. LaVergne's jobless rate for August was 2.9%.

Rutherford County as a whole tied with 4-other counties for having low unemployment scores at 2.7%. Tying with Rutherford County are Sumner, Cheatham, Hickman and Davidson Counties.

 
Moore County had Tennessee’s overall lowest unemployment rate in August. At 2.4%, its statistic dropped 0.3 of a percentage point from July’s rate of 2.7%. Both Sevier and Williamson counties had rates of 2.5%, a decrease for both counties of 0.2 of a percentage rate when compared to their previous month’s rates of 2.7%.

 
Lauderdale County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 5.8%, which was the same as its rate in July. Bledsoe County had the next highest rate for August. At 5.2%, its rate decreased by an entire percentage point between July and August.

Statewide, unemployment remained at Tennessee’s historic low level. The seasonally adjusted rate was unchanged from July’s record rate of 3.1%.

Across the nation, unemployment increased in August. The new seasonally adjusted rate is 3.8% which is an increase of 0.3 of a percentage point from the July unemployment rate.

A complete overview of the August 2023 county unemployment data, including labor force estimates for local areas across the state, is available here.