WASHINGTON CO. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN DECEMBER

  

The Washington County unemployment rate rose slightly in December.

Unemployment is 2-tenths of a percent higher in December 2016 than in November. However, the 4.8 percent unemployment rate is still lower than December 2015’s rate of 5 percent.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Brazos Valley workforce-which includes Washington, Burleson, Grimes, Brazos, Madison, Robertson, and Leon counties- saw 157,254 people employed in December with 6,379 people unemployed.

All area counties also saw an increase in the month of December: Austin County is up 2-tenths of a percent to 4.9 percent; Brazos County also up 2-tenths of a percent to 3.2 percent; Burleson County jumped up 3-tenths of a percent to 4.4 percent; Fayette County rose 3-tenths of a percent to 3.8 percent; Grimes County is also up 3-tenths of a percent to 6.5 percent; Lee County is up 2-tenths of a percent at to 3.8 percent; and Waller County’s rate rose 4-tenths of a percent to 5.3 percent.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports the statewide jobless rate held steady in December at 4.6 percent. The nationwide unemployment rate for December was 4.7 percent.