UNEMPLOYMENT RATES UP ACROSS REGION IN JANUARY

  

Washington County and area counties are reporting higher unemployment rates to start out 2025.

According to January job figures released this week by the Texas Workforce Commission, Washington County’s jobless rate grew to 4 percent after closing out 2024 with a rate of 3.3 percent in December. 

The county’s number of unemployed residents rose from 584 in December to 705 in January. 

Overall employment dropped from 17,009 in December to 16,931 in January.  Meanwhile, the civilian labor force increased from 17,593 in December to 17,636 in January.

In January 2024, the county reported an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, with 662 residents out of work. 

The state’s adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 4.2 percent in December to 4.1 percent in January. 

Across the area, January’s unemployment rates include:

• Austin County – 3.7 percent, up from 3.3 percent in December.
• Brazos County – 3.5 percent, up from 2.8 percent.
• Burleson County – 3.5 percent, up from 3.1 percent.
• Colorado County – 3.7 percent, up from 3.2 percent.
• Fayette County – 4 percent, up from 3.5 percent in December.
• Grimes County – 4.5 percent, up from 3.8 percent.
• Lee County – 3.5 percent, up from 3 percent.
• Waller County – 5 percent, up from 4.4 percent.