Small Town News

Job rate going up again in Texas

---

The unemployment rate in Wharton County dipped a tiny bit from April to May, but remains much higher than that of a year ago.

The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent in May, and continued to trend well below the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent for the same month.

Wharton County's not-adjusted May unemployment rate matched the state at 8.3 percent. The Texas Workforce Commissioner Web site shows the county has a civilian work force of 21, 652 with 19, 857 employed. Those numbers are down from April, when the work force numbered 21, 824 with 19, 992 working, but the unemployment rate was down a tenth of a percent from April's 8.4 percent. The May 2009 figures had the county with a workforce of 21, 364 with 19, 994 working, for an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent.

"During the month of May, employers in most industries added jobs, " Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken said. "In addition, it is encouraging to see that Texas' annual job growth rate is back in positive territory."

Professional and business services expanded by 10, 200 jobs in May, marking that industry's fifth monthly employment gain. Leisure and hospitality employment grew by 9, 600 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities added 8, 200 jobs.

"Jobs were added across nine major industries in May, which is positive news for our state, " TWC Commissioner representing labor Ronny Congleton said. "We know that job seekers are still facing tough competition during these challenging economic times, and I encourage them to take advantage of the excellent services available through Texas workforce centers statewide."

Manufacturing added 7, 000 jobs in May, and mining and logging rose substantially, adding 6, 500 jobs. Education and health services employment continued its upward trend, adding 500 jobs in May. Since May 2009, this industry has increased by 57, 900 jobs, a 4.4 percent gain.

"The sustained job growth over the past five months is encouraging, " TWC Commissioner representing the public Andres Alcantar said.

Texas total nonagricul-tural employment grew for the fifth consecutive month, gaining 43, 600 jobs in May.

Texas has gained a total of 35, 100 jobs over the year with the annual job growth rate moving back into positive range. More Texans are employed than ever before, at more than 11.2 million workers.

The Amarillo and Midland Metropolitan Statistical Areas were tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.4 percent. The Lubbock MSA had the second lowest unemployment rate in May at 5.7 percent, followed by the College Station-Bryan MSA at 5.8 percent (not seasonally adjusted).

The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA had an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent based on a civilian labor force of 2, 896, 100 and employment of 2, 655, 100.

The Victoria MSA unemployment rate for May was 7.6 percent based on a labor force of 58, 800 and employment of 54, 300.



Copyright 2010 East Bernard Express, East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 East Bernard Express East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from East Bernard Express