UNEMPLOYMENT RATES DOWN LOCALLY, IN AREA

  

Unemployment numbers in Washington and surrounding counties continue to drop.

Data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows Washington County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in November, down from 4.6 percent in October.

The county reported a year-low of 658 unemployed residents in November.  A total of 681 residents were unemployed in October.

The number of employed residents also fell in November, dropping from 14,216 in October to 14,205 last month.  In addition, the civilian labor force saw a reduction from 14,897 in October to 14,863 in November.

Last November, the county reported a jobless rate of 5.7 percent, with 887 people out of work.

Around the state, unemployment dropped to a rate of 5.2 percent in November from 5.4 percent in October.

Jobless rates for area counties include:

• Austin County – 4.6 percent, down from 4.7 percent in October.
• Brazos County – 3.4 percent, down from 3.7 percent.
• Burleson County – 4.1 percent, down from 4.3 percent.
• Fayette County – 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent in October.
• Grimes County – 5.7 percent, down from 5.9 percent.
• Lee County – 3.9 percent, unchanged from October.
• Waller County – 5.1 percent, down from 5.5 percent.