Dateline: November 22, 2007

Donley County jobless claims fall in October

Donley County’s unemployment rate dipped to 3.8 percent in October, according to seasonally non-adjusted data from the Texas Workforce Commission.

The figures show Donley County with 1,718 people employed out of a workforce of 1,785 with 67 people looking for work.

That is better than September’s figures which reflected an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent with 80 people out of work out of a workforce of 1,736.

One year ago in October, Donley County’s unemployment rate was 3.9 percent with 71 people jobless.

Statewide, the October seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent, down from 4.3 percent in September and 4.8 percent in October 2006. For the third month in 2007, the statewide unemployment rate reached the lowest point since the current series began in 1976.

Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas grew by 24,200 jobs in October.

Texas employers now have added 206,400 jobs over the past 12 months for an annual growth rate of 2.0 percent.

 “The strength of the Texas economy is reflected in this record low unemployment rate,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “Texas employers continue to expand at a tremendous pace, offering workers strong opportunities.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted). The Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa MSAs were second at 3.1 percent.

“Texas employers continue their impressive run by adding jobs and fueling the state’s economy,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “We have job growth in 10 of 11 industry sectors over the past month, with notable annual job growth rates in Natural Resources and Mining, as well as Professional and Business Services.”