Texas border cities see slight increase in unemployment rate during March
TEXAS – During the month of March 2023, Texas border cities showed a slight increase in their annualized unemployment rate, according to figures presented by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
According to the statistics, Texas reached new records in March 2023 with the largest civilian labor force and the highest number of employed persons in state history. The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 78,800 to reach an all-time high of 14,898,100, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.0%.
Texas added 28 thousand 600 jobs to reach another series high, with a total of 13 million 839 thousand 200 nonfarm jobs. Since March 2022, 575,100 jobs have been added.
“Texas demonstrates the strong employment opportunities in the state. TWC strives to support continued growth with work-based apprenticeship tools that advance the state’s expanding needs,” said TWC President Bryan Daniel.
Annual job growth in Texas through March 2023 outpaced the nation in each of 11 major industries. During the month, Leisure and Hospitality led employment growth with 7,400 jobs added, followed by Construction, which increased by 5,800 positions; Trade, Transportation and Utilities such as Private Education and Health Services grew by 5,400 jobs in March.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.6 percent in March, followed by Amarillo at 3.1 percent, then College Station-Bryan at 3.2 percent.
El Paso, recorded a non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last March of 4.6, contrasting with the 4.2 rate achieved in the same month of 2022. Brownsville had a rate of 5.9, down from 5.6 a year earlier.
Laredo registered an unemployment rate of 4.4 in March 2023, compared to 4.2 in the same period of 2022; while McAllen, attained 6.4 at the end of the second month of the year, down from 6.2 last year.
According to the figures presented, El Paso closed March with a total of 17,600 unemployed people, contrasting with the 15,400 that were registered a year ago; while 363,300 citizens were working this year. In Brownsville, 10,800 people ended March without work, 900 more than in 2022, while 171,700 were employed.
The city of Laredo reported 5,300 unemployed, 400 more than in March 2022, while 114,700 people were working in March 2023; in McAllen, 24,800 citizens were looking for work, 1,600 more than a year ago, while 361,100 people were employed at the end of March 2023.