WASHINGTON COUNTY JOBLESS RATE UP ONE-TENTH

  

The jobless rate in Washington County showed a slight increase in March, even though more people in the county had jobs.

The county’s March unemployment rate was 4.9-percent, up one-tenth from the February rate of 4.8-percent.

The current rate is still well above the same time last year, when 3.8-percent of the county’s workforce was unemployed.

The labor force in March was 15,415, with 14,661 people employed.  In February, 14,503 people had jobs, from a labor force of 15,235.

Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained 4.3 percent rate in March, matching the February rate, and continuing to trend below the national average of 5 percent.

The March unemployment rates for surrounding counties were also up slightly from February:  Austin County: 5.2 percent—up 4-tenths; Brazos County; 3.2 percent—the same as last month; Burleson County: 4.5 percent—up 2-tenths; Fayette County: 3.6 percent—up 2-tenths; Grimes County: 5.8 percent—up 2-tenths; Lee County: 3.5 percent—up 1 tenth; and, Waller County; 5.2 percent—up 1-tenth.