June 2007 Unemployment Figures - State

NASHVILLE - Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of June is 4.1 percent, down from the seasonally adjusted May 2007 rate of 4.7 percent, Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today.  The national unemployment rate for June 2007 is 4.5 percent, the same as the May rate.

“Tennessee’s June unemployment rate of 4.1 percent hasn’t been this low since December of 2000,” said Commissioner Neeley.  “From June 2006 to June 2007 employment grew 2.3 percent according to the household survey.  Between May and June of 2007 there was a decrease in the number of people looking for work.”

The May-to-June business survey shows employment increases in leisure/hospitality, up 4,700 jobs; employment in professional and business services increased 2,400 jobs, and construction employment increased by 2,300 jobs.  Seasonal month-to-month employment decreases took place in local government educational services, down 16,900 jobs; employment in the private educational services decreased by 2,600.

From June 2006 to June 2007, major employment increases occurred in leisure and hospitality jobs, up by 8,100.  Jobs in construction rose by 7,500 and educational and health services employment increased by 7,100.  Significant employment decreases happened in manufacturing jobs, down 11,200 from a year ago.  Clothing and clothing accessories stores employment decreased 1,100.