Tennessee Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Tennessee fell 0.2 percentage points in February 2021 to 4.9%. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Tennessee peaked in April 2020 at 15.8% and is now 10.9 percentage points lower. You can also see Tennessee unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.2% | -0.1 | +2.7 |
| Tennessee | 4.9% | -0.2 | +1.0 |
Note: All comparisons are made with February data as March state level unemployment data has not yet been released.
Unemployment Rate: Tennessee, National
Note: Recessions shown in gray
Tennessee Unemployed
The number of people unemployed in Tennessee peaked in April 2020 at 503,585. There are now 341,104 fewer people unemployed in the state. Tennessee job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 162,481 | -7,759 | +32,574 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
Tennessee Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
Tennessee Unemployment Rate |
Tennessee Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2021 | 6.0% | — | — |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 4.9% | 162,481 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 5.1% | 170,240 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 186,041 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 184,368 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 7.8% | 265,044 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 266,911 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 8.1% | 273,108 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 8.9% | 283,157 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 9.3% | 294,062 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 9.6% | 302,359 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 15.8% | 503,585 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
