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RATES INCREASE in 95 COUNTIES

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for January was 10.7 percent, unchanged from the revised December rate of 10.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for January 2010 was 9.7 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for January 2010, released today, show that the rate increased in all 95 counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 8.3 percent, up from 7.3 in December. Marshall County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.3 percent, up from 18.7 in December, followed by Henderson County at 19.9 percent, up from 18.5 percent in December.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.6 percent, up from 8.1 in December. Davidson County was 9.6 percent, up from 9.2 in December. Hamilton County was at 10.0 percent, up from 9.2 in December, and Shelby County was 11.4 percent, up from 10.6 in December.

NOTE: Information will be available on the Internet; enter http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/january2010county.pdf

Data is from the following links –   Jan 2009, Feb 2009, Mar 2009, April 2009, May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009, Jan 2010

Rates Increase in 91 Counties, Decrease in 1, Remain the Same in Three

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for December was 10.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage point from the revised November rate of 10.2 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of December was unchanged at 10.0 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for December 2009, released today, show that the rate increased in 91 counties, decreased in one, and remained the same in three counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, up 0.4 from its November rate. Lauderdale and Marshall counties had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent. Lauderdale was up 0.4 from the November rate, and Marshall County increased from 16.8 percent in November.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.1 percent, up 0.4 percentage point from the November rate. Hamilton County was at 8.9 percent, up 0.5 percentage point from the November rate. Davidson County was 9.2 percent, up 0.4 from the previous month, and Shelby County was 10.3 percent, up 0.3 from the November rate.

Data is from the following links –  Dec 2008, Jan 2009, Feb 2009, Mar 2009, April 2009, May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Up 0.7 Percentage Point from November

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for December was 10.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage point from the November rate of 10.2 percent.

“This month we’ve seen a cumulative effect of statistical information which resulted in our high rate of unemployment,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “These figures are consistent with a weak holiday period that outweighed seasonal adjustments to the unemployment rate this time of year.”

The December rate a year ago was 7.6 percent. The national unemployment rate for December 2009 was 10.0 percent, equal to the November rate of 10.0 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
November 2009 to December 2009

According to the Business Survey, 1,700 job gains occurred in retail trade; 1,200 in health care and social assistance; and 1,000 in professional, scientific and technical services. Major employment decreases occurred in manufacturing, down by 4,300; mining and construction declined by 3,900; and administrative, support and waste services declined by 2,900 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
December 2008 to December 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 8,700; federal government increased 1,500; and local government educational services gained 1,400. Manufacturing decreased by 27,600 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities lost 26,800; and mining and construction declined by 24,700.

Rates Decrease in 50 Counties, Increase in 36, Remain the Same in Nine

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November was 10.3 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the October rate of 10.5 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of November was 10.0 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for November 2009, released today, show that the rate decreased in 50 counties, increased in 36, and remained the same in nine counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.7 percent, down 0.2 from its October rate. Lauderdale County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.6 percent, down 0.2 from the October rate, followed by Haywood County at 18.0 percent, up from 17.9 percent in October.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.7 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from the October rate. Hamilton County was at 8.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the October rate. Davidson County was 8.8 percent, down 0.1 from the previous month, and Shelby County was 10.0 percent, down 0.1 from the October rate.

NOTE: To see other Tennessee cities and counties, click on following link. http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/snovember2009county.pdf 

Data is from the following links – Nov 2008, Dec 2008, Jan 2009, Feb 2009, Mar 2009, April 2009, May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Down 0.2 Percentage Point from October

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November was 10.3 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the October rate of 10.5 percent.

“As the year ends, we’re seeing evidence the economy is bottoming out and beginning to show some modest employment growth, which is encouraging news,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley.

The November rate a year ago was 7.2 percent. The national unemployment rate for November 2009 was 10.0 percent, down from the October rate of 10.2 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
October 2009 to November 2009

According to the Business Survey, 7,300 job gains occurred in retail trade; 1,800 in professional and business services; and 1,300 in health care and social assistance. Major employment decreases occurred in durable goods manufacturing, down by 1,800; arts, entertainment and recreation declined by 1,300; and mining and construction declined by 1,000 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
November 2008 to November 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 7,500; federal government increased 1,500; and local government educational services gained 1,100. Manufacturing decreased by 29,800 jobs; mining and construction lost 28,200; and trade, transportation and utilities declined by 23,300.

Approximately 25,000 Tennesseans Eligible for Additional Benefits

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is on schedule to complete the online applications for the latest federal extension of unemployment benefits. The application will be available on the Tennessee Department of Labor’s Internet site on December 11, and the first benefit payments are expected to be mailed December 18, 2009.

“This project has been given the highest priority, and the department’s Information Technology division has worked nights, weekends and holidays to do the extensive programming required of our systems to extend these benefits,” said Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “Those who have already exhausted their benefits should look for instructions in the mail this week with the status of their claim.”

Read more via Tennessee Department of Labor Announces Release of Online Application for Extension of Unemployment Benefits | TN.gov Newsroom.

Rates Increase in 39 Counties, Decrease in 42, Remain the Same in 15

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October was 10.5 percent, unchanged from the September rate of 10.5 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of October was 10.2 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for October 2009, released today, show that the rate increased in 38 counties, decreased in 42, and remained the same in 15 counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, unchanged from its September rate. Lauderdale County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent, up 0.1 from the September rate, followed by Hancock County at 18.0 percent, down from 18.4 percent in September.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.8 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from the September rate. Hamilton County was at 8.8 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from the September rate. Davidson County was 8.9 percent, down 0.2 from the previous month, and Shelby County was 10.2 percent, up 0.1 from the September rate.

NOTE: To see other Tennessee cities and counties, click on following link. http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/september2009county.pdf  

Data is from the following links –  Oct 2008, Nov 2008, Dec 2008, Jan 2009, Feb 2009, Mar 2009, April 2009, May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008

Middle Tennessee State University has done a great job analyzing the housing market in Tennessee for the 3th quarter, 2009.  In the link below they give data on employment, permits, repeat sales, mortgage tax collections, transfer tax collections, foreclosures, and inventory.

Economic activity contracted again for Tennessee’s economy in the third quarter as aggregate measures of employment continued
to decline and the unemployment rate rose (Table 1).  Nonfarm employment declined more than in previous quarters, with much of the decline centered in manufacturing and construction.

The unemployment rate rose slightly to 10.7 percent from 10.5 percent in the second quarter, but the small increase should not be considered a sign of improvement because total employment continued to drop. The unemployment rate did not rise much because thousands of persons without work stopped searching for employment, shrinking the labor force at least temporarily. 

New claims for unemployment insurance continued to decline in the third quarter but at a slower pace compared with earlier this year (Figure 1). The four-week moving average dropped to 10,031 during the final week of October, the lowest rate since November 2008. Falling initial claims signal that fewer layoffs are occurring, helping to reduce the upward pressure on the unemployment rate. Sustained improvements in the unemployment rate will require more than just fewer layoffs, however; net job creation is needed.

Housing construction and sales provided one of the few positive contributions for the Tennessee economy, but these gains may be tenuous. Sustainable growth in the housing market will require growth of employment and payrolls, both of which appear distant at present.

Read more via  Tennessee Housing Market

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Unchanged from September

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October was 10.5 percent, unchanged from the September rate of 10.5 percent.

“While the national unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent, Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady at 10.5 percent for the second consecutive month,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “This continues a pattern of stabilization in most sectors of Tennessee’s economy.”

The October rate a year ago was 6.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for October 2009 was 10.2 percent, up from the September rate of 9.8 percent.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
September 2009 to October 2009

According to the Business Survey, 5,300 job gains occurred primarily in state and local government educational services; 5,000 in administrative, support and waste services; and 1,800 in private educational services. Major employment decreases occurred in leisure and hospitality, down by 6,900, mining and construction declined by 2,600, and manufacturing decreased by 1,400 jobs

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
October 2008 to October 2009

Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 6,400; local government increased 3,300; and federal government gained 2,000; manufacturing was down 37,100; mining and construction lost 29,500; and trade, transportation and utilities declined by 28,700.

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga operations have received more than 65,000 applications for its local jobs, including 35,000 for production slots.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and we are very satisfied with the result. It gives us the confidence that we will be able to hire all the capable and flexible people we need to build our cars safely and with the highest quality,” said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for VW’s Chattanooga operations.

Read more via Chattanooga Times Free Press | Chattanooga: 65,000 applications filed for VW jobs.