Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you considering a career change while staying rooted in your hometown? Understanding the local job market is crucial for your next move. To aid in your decision, we present an updated list of cities in Tennessee with the lowest unemployment rates, showcasing the strongest job markets in 2026.
Many individuals choose to live in Tennessee due to job opportunities, but if you’re looking to relocate or find a new position, the local employment landscape is essential to consider. The strength of the job market can significantly influence your career trajectory, especially in today’s evolving work environment where remote and hybrid options are prevalent.
We utilized the latest data from the Census Bureau, specifically from the American Community Survey, to identify which cities boast the lowest unemployment rates. Our analysis focused on cities with populations over 10,000, ensuring a robust sample for our findings:
- Arlington(Jobs)
- Brentwood(Jobs)
- Lakeland(Jobs)
- Spring Hill(Jobs)
- Germantown(Jobs)
- Collierville(Jobs)
- Farragut(Jobs)
- Franklin(Jobs)
- East Ridge(Jobs)
- Mount Juliet(Jobs)
For employers, these cities also represent a healthy ecosystem for business, where a low unemployment rate often correlates with a skilled workforce. Topping the list is Arlington, Tennessee, with an impressive unemployment rate.
Continue reading to discover more about the cities that excel in providing job opportunities in Tennessee.
For additional insights on job opportunities in Tennessee, check out:
How We Determined the Cities in Tennessee With the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To compile this list, we focused on cities with populations exceeding 10,000, using reliable data from the latest American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau. This criterion allowed us to analyze 55 cities across Tennessee.
We evaluated unemployment rates to identify those cities with the most favorable job markets. The rates reflect the potential for job seekers to find employment, whether they are making local, interstate, or intercity moves.
Cities were ranked from one to 55 based on their unemployment rates, with ties broken in favor of larger cities. If your city isn’t featured in the top ten, scroll down for a complete ranking.
1. Arlington
Population: 11,623
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%
Arlington leads the pack with a remarkable unemployment rate of 0.8%, making it the top choice for job seekers in Tennessee.
Being the frontrunner means ample job opportunities for residents.
2. Brentwood
Population: 39,059
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Brentwood secures the second position with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, maintaining a competitive job market.
3. Lakeland
Population: 12,549
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Lakeland takes the bronze with a 3.5% unemployment rate, marking it as a strong contender for job seekers.
4. Spring Hill
Population: 31,467
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Spring Hill, with a population of 31,467, ranks fourth, offering a solid environment for job hunting.
5. Germantown
Population: 39,207
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
Germantown claims the fifth spot with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, reflecting its robust job market.
6. Collierville
Population: 46,780
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Collierville ranks sixth, boasting a healthy unemployment rate of 4.5%, making it a viable option for employment.
7. Farragut
Population: 21,111
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Farragut holds the seventh position with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, indicating a favorable job market for residents.
8. Franklin
Population: 66,596
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
Franklin comes in at eighth place, offering a competitive job market with a 4.7% unemployment rate.
9. East Ridge
Population: 21,220
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
East Ridge wraps up the top nine with a 4.8% unemployment rate, showcasing its potential for job seekers.
10. Mount Juliet
Population: 27,053
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Mount Juliet rounds out the top ten with a 5.0% unemployment rate. Though it ranks last in this list, it remains among the top cities for employment in Tennessee.
Conclusion: Unemployment Landscape in Tennessee
These ten cities in Tennessee represent the best opportunities for job seekers, boasting low unemployment rates that indicate strong job markets. If you’re contemplating a move to the Volunteer State and are eager to secure employment, consider these top-ranked cities.
For further insights about job opportunities across the U.S., visit www.zippia.com to explore resources tailored for job seekers, including insights for recent graduates about which states they are more likely to stay in post-graduation.
Here’s a brief overview of cities with the highest unemployment rates in Tennessee:
- Lawrenceburg
- Martin
- Union City
Detailed List of Cities With the Lowest Unemployment in Tennessee
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 1 | 0.8% |
| Brentwood | 2 | 3.2% |
| Lakeland | 3 | 3.5% |
| Spring Hill | 4 | 3.7% |
| Germantown | 5 | 4.2% |
| Collierville | 6 | 4.5% |
| Farragut | 7 | 4.6% |
| Franklin | 8 | 4.7% |
| East Ridge | 9 | 4.8% |
| Mount Juliet | 10 | 5.0% |
| White House | 11 | 5.0% |
| Bartlett | 12 | 5.2% |
| Hendersonville | 13 | 5.4% |
| Smyrna | 14 | 5.9% |
| Red Bank | 15 | 6.3% |
| Johnson City | 16 | 6.5% |
| Maryville | 17 | 6.6% |
| Mcminnville | 18 | 6.6% |
| Portland | 19 | 6.7% |
| La Vergne | 20 | 6.7% |
| Gallatin | 21 | 6.8% |
| Sevierville | 22 | 7.0% |
| Dickson | 23 | 7.2% |
| Murfreesboro | 24 | 7.4% |
| Manchester | 25 | 7.8% |
| Knoxville | 26 | 7.8% |
| Bristol | 27 | 7.9% |
| Shelbyville | 28 | 8.1% |
| Greeneville | 29 | 8.2% |
| Tullahoma | 30 | 8.4% |
| Dyersburg | 31 | 8.5% |
| Kingsport | 32 | 8.7% |
| Crossville | 33 | 8.8% |
| Soddy-Daisy | 34 | 9.1% |
| Millington | 35 | 9.1% |
| Springfield | 36 | 9.2% |
| Oak Ridge | 37 | 9.2% |
| Elizabethton | 38 | 9.4% |
| Lebanon | 39 | 9.5% |
| Athens | 40 | 9.6% |
| Jackson | 41 | 9.7% |
| Goodlettsville | 42 | 9.8% |
| Columbia | 43 | 10.1% |
| Clarksville | 44 | 10.2% |
| Chattanooga | 45 | 10.2% |
| Paris | 46 | 11.0% |
| Morristown | 47 | 11.3% |
| Cookeville | 48 | 11.5% |
| Brownsville | 49 | 11.7% |
| Cleveland | 50 | 11.9% |
| Lewisburg | 51 | 12.2% |
| Memphis | 52 | 12.3% |
| Union City | 53 | 14.6% |
| Martin | 54 | 14.6% |
| Lawrenceburg | 55 | 15.1% |
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.
