AREA UNEMPLOYMENT RATES DOWN IN MARCH

  

After seeing unemployment rates rise for the first two months of the year, Washington and surrounding counties are reporting a drop in unemployment rates for the month of March.

According to the latest labor market report from the Texas Workforce Commission, Washington County’s jobless rate fell from 4.3 percent in February to 3.9 percent last month. 

The county’s number of unemployed residents decreased from 708 in February to 631 in March. 

Overall employment numbers declined from 15,723 in February to 15,691 in March.  The civilian labor force also shrank from month to month, going from 16,431 to 16,322. 

In March 2023, the county reported an unemployment rate of 4.0 percent, with 636 people out of work.

The state’s jobless rate remained the same at 3.9 percent. 

Area counties’ unemployment figures in March include:

• Austin County – 3.7 percent, down from 4.0 percent in February.
• Brazos County – 3.0 percent, down from 3.5 percent.
• Burleson County – 3.7 percent, down from 3.9 percent.
• Fayette County – 3.4 percent, down from 3.7 percent in February.
• Grimes County – 4.4 percent, down from 4.6 percent.
• Lee County – 3.4 percent, down from 3.6 percent.
• Waller County – 4.7 percent, down from 5.3 percent.