Unemployment holds steady in White County

White County wrapped up the year with unemployment sitting below 4 percent, a sign that the local job market remained steady as 2025 came to a close. 

New data released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows White County’s unemployment rate landed at 3.9 percent in December. That number translates to 434 residents who were out of work at the end of the year. Overall, the county stayed well under the 5 percent mark and closely followed the positive employment trends seen throughout the state. 

Across Tennessee, low unemployment was the norm. Ninety-one of the state’s 95 counties reported jobless rates below 5 percent in December, with unemployment dropping from November to December in 87 counties. Those numbers point to continued momentum in the state’s workforce as the year ended. 

Compared to surrounding counties, White County remained solidly in the mix. Putnam County reported a 3.3 percent unemployment rate, with 1,279 people unemployed, while Van Buren County posted one of the lowest rates in the region at 3.1 percent, representing 94 residents. DeKalb County came in at 3.8 percent with 306 people out of work, and Warren County reported a 3.5 percent rate with 620 unemployed. Cumberland County saw a slightly higher rate at 4.1 percent, accounting for 1,007 residents. 

Elsewhere in the state, Williamson and Cheatham counties tied for the lowest unemployment rate at 2.6 percent. Several others, including Sevier, Wilson, Rutherford, Sumner and Knox counties, followed closely at 2.7 percent. Maury County recorded the highest unemployment rate statewide at 5.7 percent. 

Overall, the December report shows that White County closed out the year on stable footing, with employment levels keeping pace with statewide trends heading into the new year. A strong workforce is key to economic growth for the community, and it would appear that White County is positioned well for 2026.