February Unemployment Rate 9.6 Percent

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Up 0.2 from January

Nashville, TN (2011-03-17) Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for February was 9.6 percent, up 0.2 from the revised January rate of 9.4 percent. The national unemployment rate for February 2011 was 8.9 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the January rate.

“Tennessee had 15,400 who entered the labor force — more than 10,000 of whom were able to find jobs,” said Commissioner Karla Davis. “The unemployment rate increase is largely attributable to the remaining 5,000 workers who were unable to find work.”

"As another positive sign, the business survey shows we’ve added 35,000 jobs since last February across a diverse range of industries. The year-over-year growth rate of 1.4% shows Tennessee's employers are beginning to regain jobs lost during the recession,” Davis added.

According to the Business Survey, government increased by 4,600 jobs (state and local educational services); private educational and health services increased by 4,400 jobs; and leisure and hospitality increased by 3,100 jobs. Major employment decreases occurred in retail trade, down by 3,500; transportation and warehousing declined by 800; and accommodation declined by 500 jobs.

Year-over-year increases occurred in private educational and health services, up by 11,700; professional and business services gained 9,900; and mining and construction was up by 7,800. Year-over-year decreases occurred in nondurable goods manufacturing, down by 2,500; retail trade lost 2,100; and information decreased by 1,400.