The unemployment rate in DeKalb County dropped slightly in August. The reported rate came in at 8.0 percent, down from 8.2 percent in July.
The workforce in DeKalb consisted of 9,800 people, with 9,020 employed, and 780 unemployed.
In surrounding counties, White County had a rate of 11.1 percent, Wilson County’s rate was at 6.5 percent, and Warren County had a 9.2 percent rate.
Putnam County’s rate for August was 8.2 percent, Cannon County reported a 7.4 rate, and Smith County’s rate came in at 7.1 percent.
Statewide, the rate decreased in 77 counties, increased in nine, and remained the same in nine. Specific county information is available on the Internet; enter http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/Labor AUG2013.pdf.
 Davidson County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 6.9 percent, up from 6.7 percent in July. Knox County’s August rate stayed at 7.0 percent. Hamilton County decreased to 8.2 percent from 8.5 the previous month. Shelby County was 9.7 percent, down from 9.8 percent in July.
Lincoln County had the lowest rate in the state, at 5.9 percent, while Henderson County’s rate was the highest in Tennessee, at 11.72 percent.
The state’s preliminary unemployment rate for August was 8.5 percent, unchanged from the July revised rate.
Tennessee's August unemployment rate remained unchanged for the third consecutive month at 8.5 percent. Over the past year, Tennessee's unemployment rate increased from 8.1 percent to 8.5 percent.
Total nonfarm employment increased by 2,200 jobs from July to August. The largest increases occurred in government, trade/transportation/utilities, and durable goods manufacturing.
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 32,200 jobs. The largest increases occurred in leisure/hospitality, retail trade, and professional/business services.
The national unemployment rate for August 2013 was 7.3 percent, down one-tenth of one percentage point from the previous month.
The state unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted while the county unemployment rates are not. Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that eliminates the influences of weather, holidays, the opening and closing of schools, and other recurring seasonal events from economic time series.