LOCAL, AREA UNEMPLOYMENT RATES FALL IN DECEMBER

  

Unemployment rates continue to drop in Washington County and adjacent counties.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, Washington County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.4 percent in November to 4 percent in December.  The county started 2021 with an unemployment rate of 6.6 percent in January.

The county’s number of unemployed residents fell to a year-low 590 in December.  A total of 658 people were unemployed in November.

The total of employed residents fell slightly last month to 14,185 from 14,205 in November.  The civilian labor force also dropped from 14,863 in November to 14,775 in December.

In December 2020, the county reported an unemployment rate of 5.7, with 882 people jobless.

The statewide unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent in December from 5.2 percent in November.

Unemployment rates for area counties include:

• Austin County – 4.1 percent, down from 4.6 percent in November.
• Brazos County – 3.1 percent, down from 3.4 percent.
• Burleson County – 3.8 percent, down from 4.1 percent.
• Fayette County – 3.6 percent, down from 3.9 percent in November.
• Grimes County – 5.5 percent, down from 5.7 percent.
• Lee County – 3.6 percent, down from 3.9 percent.
• Waller County – 4.8 percent, down from 5.1 percent.