DeKalb County's unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent for  March, the fifth lowest in the Upper Cumberland area
The state's March rate dropped below 8.0 percent for the first time since 2008, but a loss of members of Tennessee's labor force meant that less people were actually employed than in February.
The local rate was down from 8.5 percent in February, and enjoyed a large drop from the 9.5 percent rate reported for March, 2011.
The labor force for DeKalb in March was 9,810 people, with 9,020 employed and 790 without work.
Putnam County's 7.2 percent rate was the lowest among the 14 Upper Cumberland counties, with Cannon reporting a 7.4 percent rate, Smith ringing in at 7.6 percent, and Macon County coming in just ahead of DeKalb at 8.0 percent.
Meanwhile, Overton County had an 8.9 percent rate for March, Fentress County's rate was at nine percent, and Warren County had a 9.1 percent rate for the month.
Cumberland County's rate was at 9.4 percent, Jackson was close behind with a 9.7 percent rate, and Clay County reported a rate of 10.0 percent.
Rounding out the Upper Cumberland counties are White, with a March rate of 10.6 percent and Van Buren, with an 11.3 percent rate.
Pickett County reported the lowest rate in the region, 13.9 percent.
The state unemployment rate for March fell to 7.9 percent, down from the February revised rate of 8.0 percent. The national unemployment rate for March 2012 was 8.2 percent, one-tenth percent lower than the February rate.
 "Tennessee’s unemployment is the lowest since November 2008,” Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis said. “The decline is attributed to losses in both employment and unemployment, but the number of unemployed declined at a faster rate, resulting in the net decrease in the state rate.”
The state labor force decreased from 3,123,400 in February to 3,109,400 in March, and while 2,872,600 people were employed in February, that number actually dropped in March, with 2,865,800  reported employed statewide.
The number of unemployed people dropped to 244,500 for March, compared to the February number, reported at 250,800.
Although the rate for Tennessee dropped slightly in March, the loss of members of the labor force means that less people in the state are unemployed than in February.
The loss in labor force may be attributed to people moving or simply giving up the search for a job.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for March show the rate decreased in 89 counties, increased in five counties, and remained the same in one county.
Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate with 5.7 percent, down from 6.1 percent in February.
Davidson County reported a 6.6 percent rate for March, down from 7.0 percent the previous month. Hamilton County was at 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent, and Shelby County reported a rate of 9.1 percent, down from the February rate of 9.2 percent.