Find a Job You Really Want In
Tennessee continues to present a mixed bag for job seekers in 2026, with various cities offering significantly different employment opportunities. While some areas thrive, others struggle to provide adequate job openings, making it essential to understand the local labor landscape.
At Zippia, we have thoroughly analyzed the job market throughout Tennessee to identify the cities where job seekers may face the most challenges. Our comprehensive research highlights the ten cities that currently present the worst prospects for employment.
Here are the cities in Tennessee with the least favorable job markets:
For additional insights on job opportunities in Tennessee, check out:
How We Identified the Worst Job Markets in Tennessee
To determine the cities with the least favorable job prospects in Tennessee, we analyzed data from over 400 locations, focusing on those with populations exceeding 5,000. This narrowed our analysis down to just over 100 cities.
We assessed each city based on several key criteria, ranking them from one to 103, where one represents the worst performance in any given category. The overall score was derived from the average rank across all criteria, with the lowest score designating the “Worst City in Tennessee to Find a Job.”
The criteria examined included:
Population: 8,452
Unemployment Rate: 9.10%
Median Household Income: $26,514
Humboldt earned the unfortunate title of the worst place in Tennessee for job seekers.
As the largest city in Gibson County, Humboldt struggles with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state and ranks low in median household income. Additionally, it has the highest sales tax in Tennessee, compounding its challenges for job seekers.
2. Ripley
Population: 8,408
Unemployment Rate: 10.30%
Median Household Income: $27,353
Ripley ranks as the second worst city for employment in Tennessee. Despite having the highest unemployment rate in the state, recent job growth has shown some promise, suggesting potential improvement in the coming years.
3. Newport
Population: 6,968
Unemployment Rate: 7.70%
Median Household Income: $22,165
Newport, TN has secured the third spot on our list. The town’s median household income is notably low, contributing to its unfavorable ranking, although it has a relatively lower unemployment rate compared to others on this list.
4. Milan
Population: 7,842
Unemployment Rate: 9.10%
Median Household Income: $32,108
While Milan shares a name with a famous Italian city, its job market is less appealing. The city faces a high unemployment rate, although its median household income is slightly better than Humboldt’s, keeping it from ranking higher on our list.
5. Martin
Population: 11,330
Unemployment Rate: 8.10%
Median Household Income: $32,087
Martin, the largest city on our list, ranks fifth. Despite its size, it has the lowest job growth rates in Tennessee, making it a challenging place for job seekers.
6. McKenzie
Population: 5,395
Unemployment Rate: 8.50%
Median Household Income: $31,778
McKenzie, the smallest city in the top ten, struggles with high unemployment and stagnant job growth, placing it sixth among the worst job markets.
7. Union City
Population: 10,878
Unemployment Rate: 8.30%
Median Household Income: $32,887
Union City does not boast a robust job market, ranking poorly in both recent job growth and unemployment rates.
8. Bolivar
Population: 5,432
Unemployment Rate: 8.90%
Median Household Income: $27,790
Bolivar ranks eighth due to its high unemployment rate and low median household income, indicating limited job prospects.
9. Lawrenceburg
Population: 10,413
Unemployment Rate: 8.50%
Median Household Income: $27,333
Lawrenceburg is home to David Crockett State Park, yet it cannot leverage tourism to improve its job market, ranking ninth due to its unemployment rate and stagnant job growth.
10. Erwin
Population: 6,080
Unemployment Rate: 7.30%
Median Household Income: $28,241
Erwin rounds out the list as the tenth worst city for jobs. It boasts the best unemployment rate among the top ten, but still falls short of the state average.
Final Thoughts on Job Opportunities in Tennessee
After analyzing the data, Humboldt stands out as the city with the least favorable job market in Tennessee. As with many states, factors such as distance from urban centers can significantly impact job opportunities. If you’re contemplating a move within Tennessee, it’s crucial to research the local economy and consider suburban areas for better prospects.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
