UNEMPLOYMENT RATES FALL IN WASHINGTON CO., AREA COUNTIES

  

The unemployment rates for Washington County and surrounding counties dropped significantly from May to June.

Data from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) shows Washington County’s jobless rate fell to 6.5 percent in June, down from 8.2 percent in May.

The county’s total workforce in June was 14,645, with 954 unemployed.  May’s labor force was 13,897, with 1,141 out of work.  The numbers are still in stark contrast to June of 2019, when the county had an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, with a workforce of 15,116 and 565 jobless.

The state’s unemployment rate also fell in June to 8.6 percent, down from 13 percent in May.  This marks the second consecutive monthly decrease of the unemployment rate, and the lowest rate since the state’s economy began feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.  The state added 243,900 private sector positions over the past month.

The June jobless rates for surrounding counties include:

• Austin County – 7.4 percent, down from 9.7 percent in May.
• Brazos County – 6.5 percent, down from 8.7 percent.
• Burleson County – 6.9 percent, down from 9.3 percent.
• Fayette County – 5.2 percent, down from 7 percent.
• Grimes County – 9 percent, down from 11.9 percent.
• Lee County – 5.2 percent, down from 7.1 percent.
• Waller County – 8.8 percent, down from 11.9 percent.