Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Morristown Near 20% Unemployment

The figures for months have shown a steady march upward on unemployment here in East Tennessee, and June's report shows Morristown near 20% and Hamblen County above 13%.

The numbers:

The state's four most populous combined statistical areas (CSAs) in May reported:

* Chattanooga, 10.3 percent, up from from 9.7 percent in May;

* Knoxville, 10.1 percent, up from 9.6 percent in May;

* Nashville, 10.3 percent, up from 9.4 percent in May;

* Memphis, 10.3 percent, up from 9.6 percent in May.

NEARBY CITIES

The May unemployment rates in nearby smaller cities were:

* Bristol, 11.6 percent, up from 10.6 percent in May;

* Johnson City, 9.1 percent, up from 8.4 percent in May;

* Kingsport, 12.7 percent, up from 12.6 percent in May;

* Morristown, 19.4 percent, up from 18.5 percent in May;

* Oak Ridge, 8.9 percent, up from 8.4 percent in May.

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* Cocke County, 13.2 percent;

* Hamblen, 13.3 percent;

* Hawkins, 12.9 percent;

* Sullivan, 9.6 percent;

* Unicoi, 12.6 percent;

* Washington, 9.2 percent.

Source

If, as usual, the end of summer brings an end to some temporary and part time employment, this Fall's unemployment rate might be even higher.

5 comments:

  1. bizgrrl9:09 AM

    The City of Maryville, here in Blount County, unemployement rate is 20.4%, whereas Blount County is 10.6%.

    I believe a lot of people are surprised at these numbers. I spoke with someone at the city and they still don't believe it.

    In the case of Maryville, it appears the high rate may be due to employer layoffs, etc. not in Maryville. Guess it is a great place to live, not so great a place to work.

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  2. Wow. Any word on whether additional plant closings in Morristown are on the horizon?

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  3. Anonymous11:11 AM

    Just like Ive been saying in Perry County. You guys should hold your state senator, state rep and local mayors accountable for this. Whether they have a D or an R beside their name. Theres no excuse for rates this high.

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  4. Anonymous11:09 PM

    We are reaping benefits of saving a dollar by not buying USA products 40 yr ago. Folks drove 60 miles roundtrip to a flea market to save a few bucks so they can own shirts instead of 10& local bizes closed, such as the Knoxville sewing factories and our govt now borrows from other countries. Same stories in every industry. Any suggestions about keeping our money local, regional?

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  5. Anon -
    Answers are elusive, yes -- and i think too so many of us in America have been burned hard by a philosophy of greed which has gripped business with brutal intent.

    there are many local purchasing options for a very wide range of needs, if we seek them out. the less giant box store buying we do, the better.

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