KINGSPORT — Every county across Tennessee recorded an unemployment rate of 5% or less in May, according to recently released information.
The data, provided by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, showed that Hardeman was the only county that reached the 5% threshold, the rest were below that percentage.
Williamson County reported the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.6%.
By the numbers
Of Washington, Carter, Sullivan, Hawkins, Johnson and Unicoi counties, Washington saw the lowest unemployment rate in May.
Preliminary labor force estimates put Washington County with a labor force of 66,979 people, 64,855 employed and 2,124 unemployed — for an unemployment rate of 3.2%.
Sullivan County trailed with the second lowest rate of the group in May at 3.4%. Sullivan County labor force estimates are listed as 71,820 people: 69,369 employed and 2,451 unemployed.
Carter County had the third lowest unemployment for that month at 3.7%. Carter County’s numbers include a labor force of 23,793 with 22,906 employed and 887 unemployed.
For Hawkins County, its 3.8% was made from the 22,755 people reported to be part of the labor force, with 21,881 of those people employed and 874 unemployed.
Johnson and Unicoi counties were reported with the highest unemployment rates in the area.
Unicoi County with a rate of 4.2%, was recorded with a labor force of 7,816 people; 7,485 of those individuals were employed and 331 unemployed.
Johnson County, coming in at 4.9%, was said to have a labor force including 5,822 people — 5,536 of which were employed and 286 who were unemployed.
The Tri-Cities as a combined statistical area reported an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Tennessee previously recorded all-time low rates of 3% in May, June and July of 2024.
Statewide unemployment data for June will be released on July 17 at 2:30 EDT.
To see the full Tennessee Economic Analysis Report for May 2025 and earlier months, visit .
