Unemployment rate falls to 7.8%
Trinity Standard -

TRINITY – Trinity County’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in three years, dropping down to 7.8 percent during April. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the new rate is the lowest rate since a 7.7 percent figure posted for April 2009. It also marks the first time in three years that the local jobless number has dipped below 8 percent. The new rate is down from the 8.2 revised rate posted for March and was down significantly from the 8.7 percent figure posted one year ago in April 2011. The latest number translates to mean that out of an estimated labor force of 5,765 people, there were 447 county residents looking for work during April. In March, TWC listed a the county with an 8.2 percent jobless rate. This meant that out of an estimated labor force of 5,738 there were with 473 people searching for jobs. Statewide, April’s actual unem¬ployment rate of 6.5 percent was down from March’s 7.0 percent figure. It was down substantially from the 7.6 percent jobless figure recorded in April 2011. When seasonal factors are added to the equation, the state’s April adjusted unemployment rate also was listed at 6.9 percent, which was down from March’s 7.0 percent rate. The latest rate also was down from the 8.0 percent figure posted in April 2011. The actual national unemploy¬ment rate for April was listed at 7.7 percent, which was down from the 8.4 percent rate posted in March. It also was down from the 8.7 percent rate recorded for April 2011. April’s sea¬sonally adjusted U.S. rate of 8.1 percent was down slightly from March’s 8.2 but down significantly from the April 2011 rate of 9.0 percent. According to TWC officials, Texas employers added 13,200 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in April. Texas saw an increase of 225,800 jobs over the year. “The Texas economy continues to add jobs, with 10 of 11 major industries growing over the past year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “The continued growth across industries is positive and we encourage employers and job seekers to take advantage of the services offered through our 28 local workforce boards across the state.” Private sector employers in Texas added 12,200 jobs over the month, totaling 277,100 private sector job gains over the year for an annual growth rate of 3.2 percent. “With more than 12.5 million workers and job seekers, Texas’ labor force is at an all-time high,” said TWC Labor Commissioner Ronny Congleton. “I am encouraged that our steadily improving labor market continues to offer good prospects for these hard-working Texans.” Eight of the 11 major industries in Texas posted gains in April. The Construction industry led with the addition of 7,300 jobs. Jobs in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities expanded by 2,900 in April. The industry has added 42,300 jobs in Texas over the last year for an annual growth rate of 2.0 percent. “Texas continues to perform well and enjoyed steady gains in the Goods-Producing industries,” said TWC Employer Commissioner Tom Pauken. “The Manufacturing industry is showing strong growth, with 6,300 jobs added in April and 25,400 over the last 12 months. Texas continues to be a great place to do business.” From among the 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) monitored by TWC, the Midland MSA had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.5 percent. The Odessa MSA was next at 4.0 percent while the Amarillo MSA was listed at 4.4 percent. The MSA with the highest jobless rate in April were the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission and Brownsville-Harlingen MSAs, which were tied at 10.1 percent. The Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA came in third at 9.5 percent. Unemployment rates posted for other East Texas counties include: APRIL % COUNTY RATE CHANGE Anderson 7.4 -0.4 Angelina 6.4 -0.4 Cherokee 7.2 -0.6 Grimes 6.3 -0.6 Harris 6.6 -0.5 Houston 8.9 -0.9 Jasper 9.6 -0.7 Jefferson 10.4 -0.2 Leon 6.1 -0.5 Liberty 8.5 -0.2 Madison 6.2 -0.6 Montgomery 5.7 -0.4 Nacogdoches 5.7 -0.3 Polk 8.0 -0.6 Sabine 14.6 -0.8 San Augustine 10.3 -1.0 San Jacinto 7.5 -0.7 Shelby 6.3 -0.3 Trinity 7.8 -0.4 Tyler 9.4 -0.6 Walker 6.3 -0.5