Numbers released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development show a staggering increase in unemployment for each of Tennessee’s 95 counties in April, as many businesses closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Cumberland County’s April jobless rate jumped to 12.7 percent, up from 4.8 percent in March.
White County’s April rate was 16.9 percent, up from 3.6 percent in March. A year ago the rate was 3.1 percent.
Van Buren County’s unemployment went from 4.7 to 20.1 percent.
Rhea County’s April unemployment rate soared to 24.5 percent from 5.1 percent in March.
Fentress and Morgan counties recorded some of the state’s lowest unemployment rates for April at 10.1 percent and 10.7 percent respectively. In March, both counties had March unemployment rates near 4 percent.
Fayette County had the state’s lowest unemployment at 9.4 percent, while Sevier County had the highest at 29.5 percent.
Cumberland County's April Jobless Rate Jumps to 12.7 Percent
May 29, 2020 | 5:00 AM