RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. - New unemployment data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows Rutherford County and its municipalities continuing to post strong job market numbers, with local unemployment rates remaining well below the statewide average in May.

According to TDLWD, 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5% in May. Across the state, 69 counties saw jobless rates decrease from April to May, while 18 counties remained unchanged and eight counties reported increases.

Rutherford County recorded a May unemployment rate of 2.6%, tying with Wilson, Sumner, Sevier, Macon and Blount counties. The local rate was also close to Williamson County, which had the lowest unemployment rate in Tennessee at 2.4%.

The numbers were also strong across Rutherford County’s largest municipalities. La Vergne posted one of the most notable local improvements, with its unemployment rate falling to 2.4% in May. That marks a decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to May 2025.

Smyrna’s unemployment rate stood at 2.5% in May, down 0.2 percentage points from the same time last year. Murfreesboro also showed improvement, with unemployment dropping to 2.7%, compared to 2.8% in May 2025.

The local figures suggest that Rutherford County’s economy remains on solid footing as employers continue to maintain a strong labor market across Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne. The county’s unemployment rate remains below Tennessee’s statewide rate, which held at 3.6% in May for the fourth consecutive month.

Statewide, Perry County was the only county in Tennessee with an unemployment rate above 5%. Its May rate was 5.3%, unchanged from the previous month. Hancock and Pickett counties followed with unemployment rates of 4.7%. Hancock County’s rate dropped by half a percentage point from April, while Pickett County’s rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point.

Unlike the statewide unemployment rate, county and municipal rates are not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not account for regular seasonal changes in hiring and employment.

TDLWD also highlighted the Tennessee Office of Reentry, a program within the department that works to strengthen the state’s workforce by helping justice-involved individuals connect with employment, training and support services. The program is designed to help more Tennesseans successfully return to the workforce while giving employers access to additional workers.

For Rutherford County, the latest numbers point to continued job market stability, with Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne all reporting unemployment rates below 3% in May.