Sumner County

Unemployment in Sumner County has risen to 4.6% in August 2026—the highest level in four months and part of a sustained upward trend. The jobless rate has increased in each of the last four consecutive data releases, climbing from a low of 3.4% in April. This represents a 35.3% increase from the trough and signals a shift in the county's labor market after months of relative stability.

The deterioration tracks a volatile pattern since the start of the year. After peaking at 4.4% in January, unemployment briefly improved through spring before reversing course in May. The current four-month rise suggests this improvement may have been temporary. The county's labor force stands at 10,770 people.

Housing values show less dramatic movement but have also softened recently. Median home values peaked at $152,830 in July before declining to $150,528 by late September—a reversal of the steady gains recorded from March through mid-summer.

Story angle: Investigate what specific employers or industries in Sumner County are driving the jobless rate uptick, and whether residents cite local economic conditions as a reason for any recent migration out of the county.