Local jobless rate reaches 4-year low

Donley County’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent last month, its lowest level since October 2001.

The seasonally non-adjusted data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows 1,849 employed locally out of a potential work force of 1,917.

That’s down from unemployment rates of 4.7 percent in August and 3.9 percent in September. The rate one year ago was 4.0 percent when 1,855 people were employed out of a work force of 1,932.

Meanwhile, seasonally Adjusted Nonagricultural Employment in Texas grew by 14,700 jobs in October, marking 14 consecutive months of job growth. Over the year, Texas employers have added 131,300 jobs, with an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent and job additions in all nine major industry sectors. The unemployment rate fell from an initial 5.7 percent in September (revised to 5.3 percent) to 5.2 percent for October.

“Job growth continues at a modest yet constant pace,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “The revision and following drop of the unemployment rate is welcome and a more realistic picture of the Texas labor market. At 5.2 percent, the current unemployment rate is well below the October 2004 rate of 6.0 percent.”

“Job growth has been consistent as Texas employers have added more than 260,000 jobs in the last 24 months,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “Moreover, job growth continues to be broad based, with jobs added over the year in all nine major industries.

“The Texas unemployment rate showed a welcome drop, as some 19,325 more Texans found jobs,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “It is also worthy to note that the number of employed Texans now stands at 10,703,600, an all-time record.”

Initial claims for unemployment compensation in October 2005 were 95,197, with 33,908 claims directly relating to Hurricane Rita. Initial claims, without disaster claims, were down 22 percent from October 2004.