Tenn. September unemployment drops to 8.3 percent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee's unemployment rate decreased slightly in September.

Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis said in a news release Thursday that September's rate was 8.3 percent, down from 8.5 percent in August.

She said the September rate is the lowest since June.

The national unemployment rate for September was 7.8 percent, 0.3 percentage point lower than the previous month.

In Tennessee, total nonfarm employment rose by 3,300 jobs from August to September, with increases in government and education/health services.

There were declines in trade/transportation/utilities and accommodation/food services.