RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – Seasonal job fluctuations tied to events like summer school breaks have pushed up unemployment rates across all 95 counties in Tennessee, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Unlike the statewide unemployment rate, county-level data is not seasonally adjusted, making these summer changes a predictable annual trend.

Despite the increase, Rutherford County continues to maintain one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, standing at 3.4%. That rate places Rutherford in a six-way tie with Davidson, Sumner, Dickson, Maury, and Robertson counties, which currently rank 5th through 10th on the statewide unemployment chart.

Sevier and Cheatham counties lead the state with the lowest unemployment rates, each at 3.2%, followed closely by Williamson and Wilson counties at 3.3%. Still, all four counties saw a half-point increase compared to their May figures.

In contrast, Perry County recorded the highest unemployment rate in the state at 6.2%, marking a significant 1.4 percentage point spike from the previous month. Johnson and Meigs counties followed closely behind at 5.9%.

Statewide, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 3.5%, which remains below the national rate of 4.1%.

TDLWD notes that 71 counties reported unemployment rates below 5%, while 24 counties reported rates at 5% or higher.

For those searching for work, the Tennessee Virtual American Job Center offers a range of online resources, including job search assistance, upcoming job fair information, and the “Service Wizard” tool to connect users with tailored services. In-person help is also available at American Job Centers across the state.

The TDLWD is scheduled to release July 2025’s statewide unemployment data on Thursday, August 14, at 1:30 p.m. CDT.