AREA UNEMPLOYMENT RATES DOWN SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER

  

The jobless rate for Washington and surrounding counties saw either slight reductions or no changes during the month of October.

According to data from the Texas Workforce Commission, Washington County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent in October, compared to a rate of 4.7 percent in September.

The number of unemployed residents in the county dropped from 706 people in September to a year-low of 681 people in October.

However, the number of employed residents also dipped last month to 14,216, compared to 14,473 in September.  There was also a reduction in the civilian labor force from 15,179 in September to 14,897 in October.

In October 2020, Washington County had an unemployment rate of 5.3 percent and 830 people out of work.

Statewide unemployment fell to 5.4 percent in October from 5.6 percent in September.

The jobless rates for area counties include:

• Austin County – 4.7 percent, down from 4.8 percent in September.
• Brazos County – 3.7 percent, down from 3.8 percent.
• Burleson County – 4.3 percent, down from 4.5 percent.
• Fayette County – 4 percent, unchanged from September.
• Grimes County – 5.9 percent, down from 6 percent.
• Lee County – 3.9 percent, unchanged.
• Waller County – 5.5 percent, down from 5.6 percent.