LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SEES SLIGHT DROP

  

The Washington County unemployment rate saw a slight drop in February.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the county’s rate fell to 3.9 percent, two-tenths of a percent lower than the January rate of 4.1.

The county last month had a labor force totaling 15,729, with 615 unemployed.

The February unemployment rate last year was 5 percent.

The State of Texas saw continued seasonally adjusted job growth in February. The statewide jobless rate last month fell to 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent in January.

The trade, transportation and utilities industry saw its largest monthly increase in more than 20 years with the addition of 16,300 jobs.

All area counties also saw slight drops in their jobless rates in February:

Austin County — 3.9 percent, down 3-tenths.
Brazos County — 3.3 percent, down 3-tenths.
Burleson County — 4 percent, down 3-tenths.
Fayette County — 3.1 percent, down 1-tenth.
Grimes County — 4.3 percent, down 3-tenths.
Lee County — 3.3 percent, down 3-tenths.
Waller County — 4.2 percent, down 3-tenths.