Dateline: January 4, 2007

County unemployment rate up to 3.6 percent

AUSTIN – Donley County’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6 percent in November after ticking up slightly in October, according to information released this week by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Seasonally non-adjusted data from TWC showed 1,747 people employed out of a workforce of 1,812. October’s data had 1,766 employed out of a workforce of 1,832.

The actual number of people looking for work in November was 65, which is down 67 in September.

Statewide seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas grew by 16,400 jobs from October to November as Texas employers continue adding jobs. Over the last 12 months, the Texas economy grew by 204,300 jobs, with an over-the-year growth rate of 2.1 percent.

Texas employers now have added jobs for 26 consecutive months. November’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.7 percent from last month’s 4.8 percent and from 5.3 percent in November 2005.

“Job growth has steadily increased for more than two years, which indicates a robust Texas labor market,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “With broad-based job gains posted again this month, the state’s annual growth rate of 2.1 percent continues to significantly outpace the U.S. rate of 1.3 percent.”