Preliminary unemployment rate up for Aug. in Tenn

Despite the rate staying the same over July’s figure, the number of unemployed people in MI actually edged upward slightly in August by 2,000.

The seasonally adjusted rate fell to 5.4 percent in August, down from 5.7 percent in July, despite the fact that the number of jobs statewide was mostly unchanged. The DLT also said the data shows that the July job losses, the state has about 5,800 more jobs than at this time past year.

The state jobless rate was higher than the national unemployment rate, which stood at 4.9 percent.

MA added fewer jobs in July than the Bureau of Labor Statistics originally estimated, gaining 5,800 jobs compared to the previously published 7,300 job gain estimate. “Our unemployment rate has dropped six tenths of a percent since June”.

The unemployment rate for Hispanic workers was 5.6 percent in August 2016 a step back from the 5.4 percent rate set in July. “But the overall job situation improved because of strong growth in the service economy”, said Shanker. Since August 2015, this sector has expanded substantially with a gain of 7,300 jobs. The biggest job losses were in the government sector, where there were an estimated 2,800 job losses between July and August. Administrative and support services, which includes temporary help firms, added 2,500, or up 1.8%.

Construction added 1,800, up 1.8%.

Financial activities added 700 (+0.3%) jobs over the month. We also announced more than 100 jobs in Houston County. Year-over-year, there was a gain of 1,200 jobs. Construction jobs remained level at 12,000.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 3.7 percent, Homewood at 3.9 percent, and Hoover at 4.0 percent.