By Denny Deady | Published Thursday, March 26, 2009
Texas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in January, while the U.S. unemployment rate climbed to 7.6 percent. Texas' unemployment rate has consistently remained well below the national rate for the past year. The Texas unemployment rate for January is up from a revised 5.6 percent in December and 4.4 percent a year ago.
Texas' seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment fell by 75,800 jobs in January. Texas employers showed a net loss of 5,300 jobs over the year, compared with job losses of 3.5 million nationwide during the same period. Through October, Texas' annual job growth far surpassed every state in the nation at 161,000 jobs.
"The national economic crisis is beginning to have a serious, negative impact on our Texas economy," said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken.
Industry losses hit Manufacturing and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors the hardest, down 38,100 and 26,600 jobs, respectively. Trade, Transportation and Utilities includes wholesale and retail trades, air and rail transportation, and transmission of electric power and natural gas.
Texas' year-over-year figures continued to fare better, with more than half of the industry sectors still posting positive job growth and several industries showing gains in January. Education and Health Services grew by 3,200 positions for an industry gain of 50,100 jobs in the past year. Leisure and Hospitality continued its growth trend, adding 1,600 jobs in January and 17,400 jobs in the past 12 months.
"Although the unemployment rate in Texas is lower than in other parts of the country, it has gone up in recent months and we are concerned," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "I encourage job seekers to seek assistance at more than 240 Texas workforce centers providing help with work search, skills training and other services."
