State's Jobless Rate Stays At 9.8 Percent

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for July was 9.8 percent, unchanged from the June revised rate of 9.8. The national unemployment rate for July 2011 was 9.1 percent, down from the June revised rate of 9.2 percent.

“The statistics behind the unchanged unemployment rate show a slight drop in employment numbers along with an overall decline in the labor force,” Commissioner Davis said.

According to the household survey, the number of employed Tennesseans decreased by 12,200 from June to July 2011. The civilian labor force decreased by 15,100 which is attributed to discouraged workers no longer looking for jobs.

Labor also conducts a monthly survey of 10,000 businesses in Tennessee which is factored into the state’s unemployment rate. “The business survey does reveal some positive indicators with a private employment growth rate of 1.3 percent over the year,” added Davis. “Construction and durable goods manufacturing are both showing strong short and long term growth which is better than we’ve seen during the past few years.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
June 2011 to July 2011

Month-to-month increases occurred in mining, logging, and construction, up 1,900 jobs; local government educational services was up 1,400; hospitals was up by 900 jobs; and durable goods manufacturing increased by 900. Food services and drinking places decreased by 1,600; and state government declined by 1,600.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
July 2010 to June 2011

Year-over-year increases took place in professional and business services, up 8,700 jobs; food services and drinking places, up 5,800; and educational and health services increased by 4,700.


Employment decreases took place in government, down 9,000 (4,700 of which were Federal, due to the 2010 Census jobs); retail trade, down 3,800; and social assistance, down 1,900.