Updated 1/31/20

New data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed the vast majority of counties in the state had unemployment rates below 5% during December 2019.

In Giles County, the rate increased from 3.5 percent in November to 4.0 percent in December.

The county had a total of 614 people unemployed in December.

Unemployment rates compared with the previous month decreased in 12 counties, increased in 55 counties, and remained unchanged in 28 counties.

Lincoln and Clay counties recorded the state's highest unemployment in December. Each has a rate of 6.2%, which amounted to a 1.8% increase for Lincoln County and 0.3% for Clay County. McNairy County also had a rate at or above 6%, which was 1.3% higher than in November.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment statewide held steady in December. The latest rate of 3.3% remained unchanged from Tennessee's November unemployment rate.

Nationally, unemployment also showed no movement in December.