NASHVILLE – Unemployment rates declined in every Tennessee county in August, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
All 95 counties saw a drop in their unemployment rates from July to August, while no county experienced a decline from June to July.
Ninety counties reported unemployment rates of less than 5% in August. The other five counties had rates of 5% or greater, with the highest at 5.4%.
Sevier County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate for the third month in a row. At 2.7%, it was six-tenths of a percentage point lower than in July.
Cheatham County had the next-lowest rate for August at 2.8%, a decrease of six-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month. Williamson County followed with a rate of 2.9%, down seven-tenths of a percentage point.
Perry County reported the state’s highest unemployment rate for the month at 5.4%, a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from its July rate.
Three counties — Hardeman, Lauderdale, and Meigs — recorded rates of 5.1%.
Data released last week showed Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was 3.6%. Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment, such as school breaks.
American Job Centers (AJCs) offer free resources to meet individuals’ employment needs, including access to computers and assistance with resumes and interview skills.
Find the nearest AJC with this interactive map.
Tennessee will release statewide unemployment data for September on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. CDT.
A complete analysis of August 2025 county unemployment data for Tennessee
