Highest Unemployment Rate in Tennessee since 1982

May 24, 2020

Newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development revealed the state’s highest-ever unemployment rate amid the COVID-19 health emergency.

The preliminary statewide unemployment rate for April is 14.7 percent, which is an unprecedented spike of 11.2 percentage points when compared to the March rate of 3.3 percent.

This is Tennessee’s highest unemployment rate in a generation. Before the pandemic, the state’s all-time highest unemployment rate was 12.9 percent, which occurred in December 1982 and January 1983.

Lucky Knott

One of Southern Tennessee's most experienced and recognized news broadcasters and play-by-play sportscasters. News and Sports Director for Rooster 101.5 FM, 93.9 The Duck and Whiskey Country 105.1, and 95.9. He is currently the play-by-play voice of the Coffee County Red Raiders (31 years) on The Rooster 101.5 and can be heard M-F broadcasting our local news. Lucky has done play-by-play for 3,993 (and counting) sports events on Radio & TV. He also served four years as the Public Information Officer for the Coffee Co. Sheriff's Dept. and taught Radio/TV for six years at Grundy County High School.