Jobless Rate Down Slightly in Henry, Surrounding Counties

By Carrie Pond

Paris, TN – Despite unemployment rates higher than the national average, more Northwest Tennesseans are finding jobs this month. The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows a slight decrease in unemployment numbers from September to October. Henry County's jobless rate is down eight tenths of a percentage point at 9 point 2 percent. Surrounding counties, including Weakley and Stewart, also show a decline. Tennessee's joblessness rate for October was 7 percent, half a percentage point higher than the national average of 6 and a half percent.