TN Dept of Labor & Workforce Development

91 Tennessee Counties Below 5% Unemployment in December 2025

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released December 2025 county unemployment data showing 91 of 95 counties with rates below 5%, with the statewide rate at 3.6%. Eighty-seven counties saw decreased rates from November. Williamson and Cheatham counties tied for the lowest rate at 2.6%, while Maury County had the highest at 5.7%.

Tennessee Starts 2026 With Lower Unemployment at 3.5%

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released January 2026 unemployment data showing the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5%, down 0.1 percentage point from December 2025. Tennessee continues to outperform the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Over the past year, Tennessee employers added 5,900 nonfarm jobs, with the largest increases in healthcare and social assistance, state government, and arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors.

TOSHA Investigation Concluded: $3,133,900 Penalty for AES Explosion, 16 Deaths

TOSHA concluded its six-month investigation into the October 10, 2025, explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) munitions facility near Bucksnort, Tennessee, which caused 16 fatalities and multiple injuries. TOSHA assessed $3,133,900 in total penalties comprising 59 willful violations ($3,000,000), 32 serious violations ($93,300), 4 repeat-serious violations ($39,200), and 5 other-than-serious violations ($1,400). This represents the highest total penalty in TOSHA history, substantially exceeding the previous record of approximately $380,000 from 2001.

84 Tennessee Counties Below 5% Unemployment, Williamson Lowest at 2.7%

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released January 2026 county unemployment data showing 84 of 95 counties reported rates below 5%. Williamson County recorded the lowest rate at 2.7%, while Perry County had the highest at 11.3%. Tennessee's seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 3.5%, eight-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 4.3%.

Tennessee Unemployment 3.6%, Remains Below U.S. 4.4%

Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6% in February 2026, up one-tenth from the prior month and from one year ago when it was 3.5%. The national rate was 4.4%, making Tennessee's rate eight-tenths of a percentage point lower. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 6,400 jobs over the past year, with the largest losses in trade, transportation, and utilities, followed by manufacturing and federal government.