Unemployment drop attributed to statistical aberration

The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development said January’s rate was 4.9 percent, down from December’s seasonally adjusted rate of 6 percent.

“The unusual drop in the December-to-January rate is due to unexpected fluctuations from the monthly survey of Tennessee households, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census,” state Labor Commissioner James Neeley said. “Normally the figure would be somewhat unchanged this time of year and we anticipate next month’s figure to be higher.”

The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.6 percent, down one-tenth of a percent. The unemployment rate not adjusted for the time of year in Tennessee saw a jump from 5.5 percent in December to 5.6 percent in January, while the national rate rose nine-tenths of a point to 6.3 percent.

Between December and January, professional, scientific and technical jobs increased by 600 and manufacturing jobs were up 500. More than 26,000 jobs were lost in trade, transportation, utility, leisure and hospitality.

From January 2003 to January 2004, more than 7,600 jobs have been created in the state in educational and health services, while 11,800 jobs were added in business services, leisure and hospitality jobs. Manufacturing jobs dropped 4,200, while the government jobs decreased by 900.
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On the Net:
Labor Department: http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/labor—figures