SLIGHT JUMP IN UNEMPLOYMENT BUT MORE PEOPLE WORKING

  

Clint Kolby, the Project Manager for the Brenham  Economic Foundation notes a bit of irony in February’s unemployment figures for Washington County.

The County’s jobless rate increased very slightly, by one tenth of one percent in the month even though more people in Washington County actually have jobs.

In figures released today (Friday) from the Texas Workforce Commission, Washington County’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent.  That’s up from the 4.5 percent reading in January  but down by four tenths of a percent from this time last year.

Kolby says this is a trend going on throughout the area, but takes heart in knowing more people are working.

 

The trend was evident in Austin County where the jobless rate rose to 5.6 percent, up from 5.2 percent in January.

Burleson County’s unemployment rate inched up to 5.2 percent from 5.1 percent. Colorado County’s unemployment rate was steady at 4.7 percent.  The unemployment rate also remained steady in Fayette County with an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent.

Grimes County actually had a drop from 5.5 percent in January to 5.4 percent in February.

The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was steady at 5.7 percent. Gov. Rick Perry also noted the rise in the number of people working in Texas.  He released a statement saying ‘job  growth of this magnitude is about much more than just an attractive statistic on a printed page; it means more choices and better options for Texas job seekers, stronger families andcommunities.’1a

There were only nine counties with double digit unemployment in February.  Starr County had the highest jobless rate in the state with 15.9 percent.

Oil and gas rich Hemphill County in northwest Texas had the lowest unemployment rate in the state with a 2.2 jobless rate.

Play
What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
Back to top button