Tennessee unemployment rate down to 4 percent

There was a slight drop from July’s rate of 4.1 percent.

‘Over the past year alone, the state’s jobless rate has fallen from 5.2 percent to 4 percent,’ said department commissioner James Neeley. ‘We have seen continued growth in employment, with the growth in the number of people finding jobs exceeding the growth in the number of people looking for jobs.’

There were major monthly employment increases in local government educational services, up 10,000 jobs due to schools starting. Administrative support and waste services were also up 5,000 from the seasonal downturn in July.

Month-to-month decreases took place in machinery manufacturing, which is down 900 jobs. There was also a seasonal decline of 600 jobs in arts, entertainment and recreation.

From August 2006 to August 2007, construction led in job increases with 8,200 or almost 6 percent. Leisure and hospitality jobs were up by 8,100 and health care and social assistance employment increased by 5,800.

The biggest job decreases over the year have been in manufacturing, down 10,600. Jobs in clothing and clothing accessories stores decreased by 1,600.

The national unemployment rate for August is 4.6 percent, the same as in July.