Dateline: June 21, 2007

Donley County Jobless claims at 4.1 percent

Jobless claims in Donley County reached their lowest level for May since 2000 last month, according to seasonally non-adjusted data from the Texas Workforce Commission,

The local unemployment rate fell from 4.1 percent in April to 3.9 percent in May as the number of people looking for work fell from 76 to 72. The figure was the lowest for May since the rate was 4.0 percent in 2000.

The state reports that Donley County has a workforce of 1,837 with 1,765 people employed last month. One year ago, 90 people were looking for work out of a workforce of 1,842, an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent.

Statewide, the May seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent, its lowest point since the current series began in 1976. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.2 percent in April and 5.0 percent a year ago.

Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas grew by 22,700 jobs in May, with 10 industries gaining jobs from the previous month. Texas employers now have added 239,000 jobs in the past year.

“Sustained job growth and a strong Texas economy have driven the unemployment rate to this historic low,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “Texas employers are prospering which means more opportunities for working Texans.”

“Texas employers are making enormous strides across a wide spectrum of industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “Our state’s annual job growth rate at 2.4 percent now outpaces the U.S. rate at 1.4 percent.”

“As more and more people find work, the economy improves for all Texans,” said Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton.