Rutherford County continues to boast a strong labor market, reporting an unemployment rate of 2.9% for September 2024 - the same number that was recorded in August of 2024. This places the county as having the fourth-lowest jobless rate across the state of Tennessee, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Smyrna and LaVergne both reported a jobless rate of 3% last month, while Murfreesboro recorded a slight increase, moving from 3% in August to 3.1% in September. 

LaVergne’s unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points from 2.9% in August, while Smyrna’s rate remained unchanged. Murfreesboro followed a similar trend, with its rate inching up by 0.1 percentage points. Despite these small increases, unemployment remains low across the region. 

Statewide, Tennessee saw unemployment rates under 5% in 91 of its 95 counties in September. However, 77 counties experienced a slight increase compared to the previous month, with only five counties seeing a decrease, and 13 holding steady. 

The lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Sevier and Moore counties at 2.7%. Williamson County followed with 2.8%, a minor increase from August. On the other end of the spectrum, McNairy County reported the state’s highest unemployment rate at 5.5%, followed closely by Houston County at 5.4%. 

Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2% in September—still well below the national rate of 4.1%. Unlike the state and national rates, county-level rates are not adjusted for seasonal employment changes. 

For those seeking employment opportunities, Tennessee offers more than 70 American Job Centers across the state, with no-cost services available online at TNVirtualAJC.com. Residents are encouraged to explore these resources to assist with their job search or find a nearby job center. 

Rutherford County’s consistent low unemployment rate highlights the region’s economic resilience, even as minor fluctuations are seen across the state.