Updated 11/22/19

Newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) shows 38 counties experienced a drop in unemployment during October, while rates remained the same in 24 counties, and increased in 33 counties.

In Giles County, the rate dropped from 4.3 percent in September to 3.4 October.

During most of October, employees at the General Motors manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, along with workers at several dozen automotive suppliers in surrounding counties, were not working.

In Maury County, unemployment more than doubled, causing the county to have the second-highest rate in the state. It spiked 3.4 percentage points, going from 2.6 percent in September to 6 percent in October.

Other counties in Southern Middle Tennessee also experienced a jump in unemployment.

Perry County had the state’s highest unemployment rate in October at 8 percent. That represents a 4.5 percentage point increase from the prior month’s rate of 3.5 percent.

Decatur, Lewis, and Marshall experienced similar spikes in unemployment during October.