Jobless rate rises slightly, remains low

Though Wilson County’s unemployment rate rose slightly in October compared to September’s rate, it remained among the lowest in Tennessee.

According to figures released Wednesday from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, October’s rate rose .1percent to 6.3 percent in Wilson County, which joined 63 other counties that had increases. September’s rate was 6.2 percent.

Wilson County raked sixth in the state behind Lincoln, Williamson, Knox, Rutherford and Blount counties, respectively, for the lowest jobless rate in October. Scott County had the highest jobless rate with 16.4 percent.

Wilson County’s rate in October represents 3,870 unemployed workers compared to a 61,740 workforce and does not include those who did not file with the labor department or no longer receive benefits.

Among Tennessee’s larger cities, Lebanon’s rate for October also rose .1 percent from September to 7 percent. The city’s rate represents 920 unemployed workers compared to a 13,140 labor force.

The Nashville-Murfreesboro metropolitan area, which includes Wilson County, remained flat at 6.4 percent in October compared to September. The rate represents 53,370 unemployed workers compared to an 837,790 workforce.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October decreased to 8.2 percent, down from the September revised rate of 8.3 percent. The statewide rate represents 253,600 jobless workers compared to a 3.12 million-person workforce.

The national unemployment rate for October was 7.9 percent, which was .1 percent higher than the September rate of 7.8 percent.