Tennessee jobless rate declines 0.02 percent

Friday, March 23, 2012, Vol. 36, No. 12

NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee unemployment rate has fallen 0.02 percent to 8 percent in February, the lowest since November 2008.

State officials said Thursday that Tennessee gained some 4,800 jobs in February.

University of Tennessee economist Bill Fox said the state has gained more than 50,000 jobs in the past year. He said monthly data show reasonable job increases in health care, durable manufacturing and temporary employment agencies.

The national unemployment rate in February was 8.3 percent, unchanged from January.