Northeast Tenn. counties keep December unemployment rates below 5%

KINGSPORT — Nearly every county in Tennessee recorded an unemployment below 5% for December, according to data reported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The data shows four of the state's 95 counties recorded unemployment rates of 5% or higher, with the highest being at 5.7% in Maury County — which is 2.4% higher than November 2025. The next highest was Lewis County at 5.6%. Williamson County reported the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.6%. Tennessee's statewide unemployment rate in December was 3.6%. Unemployment rates decreased from November 2025 to December 2025 in 87 counties; rates increased in six counties and remained the same in two counties. By the numbers Of Washington, Carter, Sullivan, Hawkins, Johnson and Unicoi counties, Washington saw the lowest unemployment rate in December. Preliminary labor force estimates put Washington County with a labor force of 67,672 people, 65,571 employed and 2,101 unemployed — for an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Sullivan County trailed with the second lowest rate of the group in December at 3.5%. Sullivan County labor force estimates are listed as 71,842 people: 69,358 employed and 2,484 unemployed. Carter County had the third lowest unemployment for that month at 3.6%. Carter County's numbers include a labor force of 24,026 with 23,167 employed and 859 unemployed. For Hawkins County, that county's 3.8% was made from the 22,739 people reported to be part of the labor force, with 21,869 of those people employed and 870 unemployed. Unicoi County ended December with a rate of 3.9%, with a reported labor force of 7,850 people; 7,544 of those individuals were employed and 306 unemployed. Johnson County was reported with the highest unemployment rates in the area. Johnson County, coming in at 4.5%, was said to have a labor force including 5,955 people — 5,686 of which were employed and 269 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. Release dates for 2026 months unemployment data are yet to be determined. To see the full Tennessee Economic Analysis Report for December 2025 and earlier months, visit https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/workforce/general-resources/major-publications0/major-publications-redirect/public-reports-redirect/economic-analysis.html.