TRINITY – Trinity County’s unemployment held at 5.6 percent for the second straight month during July, the highest level recorded since an identical 5.6 percent figure was recorded in September 2006.

According to the latest figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission, the county’s 5.6 percent July unemployment rate, which translates to mean that out of an estimated workforce of 5,978, there were 336 county residents looking for jobs during the month.

June’s report also listed the local jobless rate at 5.6 percent with a total of 5,965 workers and 336 looking for jobs.

Traditionally, the June and July unemployment figures are the highest of each year as high school and college students attempt to find summer jobs.

While the latest rate is unchanged from June, it is up from the 5.4 percent jobless figure posted for July 2007.

Statewide, July’s actual unem­ployment rate of 5.08 percent was up from the 4.8 percent figure posted in June. It also was up from the 4.7 percent rate recorded in July 2007.

When seasonal factors are added to the equation, the state’s July unemployment rate was listed at 4.7 percent, which was up from the 4.4 percent rate posted for June. The latest season­ally adjusted rate also was up from the 4.3 percent figure re­corded in July 2007.

The actual national unemploy­ment rate for July was listed at 6.0 percent, which was up from the 5.7 percent rate posted in June. It was also substantially up from the 4.9 rate set one year ago in July 2007.

June’s sea­sonally adjusted U.S. rate of 5.7 percent was up from the 5.5 percent rate recorded in June and up from the 4.7 percent figure posted in July 2007.

In the report, TWC officials noted that nonagricultural employment grew by 17,500 jobs in July, meaning that Texas employers have now added 248,600 jobs over the past 12 months for an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent.

“With the increases in the unemployment rate, Texas is beginning to feel the effects of the national economic slowdown,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken.

“Although job growth remains positive, employers added fewer jobs this month,” he added.

The Leisure & Hospitality sector has gained jobs for 10 consecutive months, adding 3,400 positions in July. This is an industry gain of 38,800 jobs in the past year.

Construction grew by 3,300 jobs during July, adding 28,600 jobs in the past 12 months.

“Job gains in July are a positive sign for the Texas economy, considering national economic uncertainty,” said TWC Commissioner Andres Alcantar. “The state’s job growth rate remained a healthy 2.4 percent, providing jobs for Texas workers.”

The Natural Resources and Mining sector’s employment increased by 1,300 jobs in July, with 15,700 positions added over the year. Financial Activities gained 800 jobs during the month, with 9,600 jobs added sing July 2007.

Of the state’s 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the high­est jobless rate was the 7.7 percent figure recorded for the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA

Next was the Brownsville-Harlingen MSA at 7.0 percent; the Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA at 6.6 percent; the El Paso MSA at 6.3 percent; the Laredo MSA at 5.8 percent; and the Sherman-Denison MSA at 5.3 percent.

The MSA with the lowest unem­ployment during the month was the Midland MSA at 3.1 percent, fol­lowed by the Odessa MSA at 3.7 percent; the Amarillo MSA at 3.8; and the Abilene MSA at 4.1 per­cent.

Unemployment rates posted for other East Texas counties include:

                             JULY             %

COUNTY           RATE      CHANGE

Anderson               6.0             +0.3

Angelina                 4.8             +0.1

Cherokee                6.2             +0.3

Grimes                     5.6             +0.3

Harris                      4.9             +0.2

Houston                 7.1             +0.3

Jasper                      6.4             +0.3

Jefferson                 6.9             +0.4

Leon                        4.7             +0.1

Liberty                    5.9             +0.1

Madison                 5.1             +0.1

Montgomery          4.4             +0.1

Nacogdoches        4.8               0.0

Polk                         6.7             +0.3

Sabine                     9.2             +0.7

San Augustine      6.7             +0.3

San Jacinto             6.2             +0.2

Shelby                     5.1               0.0

Trinity                   5.6              0.0

Tyler                        6.4             +0.3

Walker                    5.7              -0.1