July 2007 Unemployment Figures - State

NASHVILLE - Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of July remained at 4.1 percent, matching the June rate and marking the second month in a row for the state rate to be the lowest in seven years, Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today. The national unemployment rate for July 2007 is 4.6 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from June.

“Year-to-year employment growth has been significant,” said Commissioner Neeley. “From July 2006 to July of this year, employment increased by 58,600 or 2.1 percent, according to the household survey.”

The June-to-July business survey shows employment increases in accommodation and food services, up 2,000 jobs; educational and health services, up 600; and clothing and clothing accessories stores, up 500. Month-to-month employment decreases occurred in government, down 11,900; manufacturing decreased by 3,400; and professional and business services was down 3,200.

Construction led year-to-year gains, increasing by 8,200 jobs or almost 6 percent from July 2006 to July 2007. Leisure and hospitality jobs were up by 8,100; and health care and social assistance employment increased by 5,800. The biggest decreases over the year were in manufacturing jobs, down 8,500 from a year ago. Jobs in clothing and clothing accessories stores decreased by 1,600.