Small Town News

County unemployment rate drops in September

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Wharton County's unadjusted unemployment rate dropped nearly a full percentage point according to figures compiled by the Texas Workforce commissioner for the month of September.

With the drop, the county average now matches the state average unemployment rate.

In a news release, the TWC reported the Texas unemployment rate declined in September to 8.1 percent, down from 8.3 percent in August 2010, the lowest unemployment rate for Texas in 2010. The Texas nemployment rate continued to trend well below the U.S. unemployment rate for September at 9.6 percent. Texas total nonfarm employment was up by 3,700 jobs in September representing the addition of 152,800 jobs in the last year.

"Texas continued to display trong job growth across many industries in September," said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. "More Texans are back to work as reflected in the lower unemployment rate."

In Wharton County, the September numbers snowed a civilian workforce of 21,826 with 20,069 working and 1,757 without jobs for an 8.1 percent rate. In August, the labor force number was actually higher than September, 21,851, but showed fewer people working, 19,917, for a rate of 8.9 percent. The county unemployment rate for September 2009 was 7.6 percent with a work force of 21,468 of which 19,829 were working.

The TWC release said manufacturing employment continued to grow with 2,000 positions added in September. Texas added 24,500 manufacturing jobs over the year representing 68 percent of all manufacturing jobs added in the United States since September 2009. Employment in mining and logging rose in September adding 3,800 jobs with 28,000 positions added since September 2009. "It's encouraging to see so many jobs added over the past year," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "For those qualified Texas workers who remain unemployed, staff at TWC and the 240 workforce centers across the state remain committed to provide the job-search and referral services necessary to match those unemployed individuals with new jobs."

Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 10,300 jobs representing the industry with the largest job gain over the month and a total of 27,500 positions since September 2009. Trade, transportation, and utilities added 4,000 jobs in September and financial activities employment increased by 200 jobs in September. Education and health services added 49,500 jobs over the year, and professional and business services recorded annual job growth of 50,300 positions.



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© 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 DAS.

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