Unemployment rates in nearly every Tennessee county, including distressed counties, declined during September, according to data released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

Ninety counties experienced lower unemployment in September, while the rate remained the same in one county, and increased in four counties. The latest statistics show unemployment rates are less than 5 percent in 90 counties and 5 percent or greater in five counties.

Several of Tennessee's distressed counties saw significant improvement in unemployment compared to their August statistics. Rates dropped in 12 of the state's 15 distressed counties.

"While it is never good to have unemployment increase in even one county, it is encouraging to see unemployment showing signs of progress in many of the state's distressed counties," said TDLWD Commissioner Jeff McCord.

Once again, in September, Williamson and Sevier counties claim the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Both counties recorded a rate of 2.3 percent, which is 0.2 of a percentage point lower than their August rates.

Davidson, Cheatham, and Rutherford counties each had an unemployment rate of 2.4 percent in September. Davidson County dropped 0.1 of a percentage point, while Cheatham and Rutherford counties both declined by 0.2 of a percentage point.