UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN WASHINGTON CO. UNCHANGED IN DECEMBER

  

Washington County’s unemployment rate held steady over the past month.

Figures from the Texas Workforce Commission show the county’s jobless rate remained at 3.1 percent in December, unchanged from November.

The county’s total workforce in December was 15,014, with 458 unemployed.  November’s labor force was 15,033, with 472 out of work.  In December of 2018, the county had an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, with a labor force of 14,986 and 507 jobless.

Unemployment for the state rose to 3.5 percent in December, up from 3.4 percent in November.  The uptick ended six straight months of record low unemployment in the state, starting in June.  The unemployment rate was the lowest since series tracking began in 1976.  The state economy added 29,800 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in December.

The December jobless rates for surrounding counties include:

• Austin County – 3.2 percent, down one-tenth from November.
• Brazos County – 2.4 percent, also down one-tenth.
• Burleson County – 3.1 percent, down one-tenth.
• Fayette County – 2.3 percent, down two-tenths.
• Grimes County – 3.7 percent, down one-tenth from November.
• Lee County – 2.5 percent, down two-tenths.
• Waller County – 3.5 percent, down one-tenth.