UNEMPLOYMENT RATES CONTINUE TO FALL IN, AROUND WASHINGTON CO.

  

Unemployment rates for Washington County and surrounding counties continue to drop amid the state’s ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Washington County’s jobless rate fell to 5.2 percent in August, down from 6 percent in July.

The county’s total workforce in August was 15,458, with 809 unemployed.  July’s labor force was 14,749, with 892 jobless.  The county’s unemployment rate in August of 2019 was 3.5 percent, with a labor force of 15,220 and 528 out of work.

The state’s unemployment rate also fell in August to 6.8 percent, down from 8 percent in July.  This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decrease of the unemployment rate and the lowest rate since March, when the state’s economy was first impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The jobless rates for surrounding counties include:

• Austin County – 6 percent, down from 7 percent in July.
• Brazos County – 4.6 percent, down from 5.7 percent.
• Burleson County – 5.6 percent, down from 6.5 percent.
• Fayette County – 4.2 percent, down from 4.9 percent in July.
• Grimes County – 7.3 percent, down from 8.5 percent.
• Lee County – 4.1 percent, down from 5 percent.
• Waller County – 7.3 percent, down from 8.6 percent.