Texas unemployment rate remains well below national average
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Texas total nonfarm employment was up by 20000 jobs in December representing the addition of 230800 jobs since December 2009. At 8.3 percent for December the Texas unemployment rate remains well below the 9.4 percent U.S. unemployment rate for December. Annual job growth in Texas is also strong at 2.3 percent as compared to the U.S. growth rate of 0.9 percent.
The annual job growth rate in Texas has steadily risen every month during the past 12 months and now stands at 2.3 percent for December" said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. At the same time Texas employers added jobs and our state ended the year with an increase of 218200 jobs since January."
Goods-Producing industries showed strong gains in December with Construction adding 8700 positions for a total of 32300 jobs added over the year; Manufacturing adding 3100 jobs for a total of 28000 jobs added over the year; and Mining and Logging adding 1400 jobs for a total of 29400 jobs added over the year.
Texas job growth across many industries offers employment opportunities for Texas workers" said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. Staff at TWC and at more than 245 Workforce Solutions offices across the state stand ready to assist those job seekers who remain unemployed."
Leisure and Hospitality reported its second consecutive month of job gains with the addition of 6600 positions in December up by 25000 jobs since December 2009.
Additionally Other Services which includes automotive computer office machine and appliance repair and maintenance and service industries such as barber shops funeral homes and business associations increased by 3400 jobs in December.
The Texas labor force expanded for the fourth consecutive month currently at more than 12.2 million individuals" said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. Job growth in the Goods-Producing industries was positive with annual growth rates of 14.8 percent in Mining and Logging 5.8 percent in Construction and 3.4 percent in Manufacturing."
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest December unemployment rate in the state at 4.9 percent. The Amarillo MSA had the second lowest unemployment rate in December at 5.3 percent followed by the Lubbock MSA at 5.8 percent (not seasonally adjusted).
Audio downloads from TWC Chairman Tom Pauken on latest labor market data are available at the following link:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2011/praudio11.html.
