Rural Capital Area Unemployment Rate Ticks Up in January; Region Sees 3.13% Annual Job Growth Rate
Mar 13, 2020
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ The unadjusted unemployment rate in the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) ticked up slightly in January 2020, compared to the month prior, though there was still a favorable drop compared to the rate last year. According to figures released today by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the unemployment rate for the nine-county workforce development area was 2.9 percent*, up from 2.5 percent in December 2019, but below the 3.4 percent recorded in January 2019. The 2.9 percent unemployment rate represented 16,356 residents seeking employment. The region’s unemployment rate remained below both the Texas (3.8 percent)* and national (4.0 percent)* rates, which both saw increases in January.
The Rural Capital Area’s 3.13 percent annual growth rate represents the addition of 16,601 jobs since January 2019.
Within the WSRCA counties, Blanco recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5 percent in January. Burnet, Fayette and Lee counties were at 2.8 percent. Hays and Williamson counties were at 2.9 percent. Bastrop County was at 3.1 percent, while Caldwell County was at 3.4 percent, and Llano County was at 3.6 percent.
Key Points by Industry for the Rural Capital Area, according to the most recent labor market data:
- The Public Administration Services Industry has experienced the greatest quarterly employment growth with an increase of 2.3 percent.
- Job gains were also experienced in the Professional and Business Services Industry (2.2 percent), as well as the Financial Activities Industry (2.1 percent).
- The Information Services Industry in the Rural Capital Area also experienced the greatest positive annual job growth with an increase of 13.7 percent.
- Significant positive annual job growth was also experienced in the Professional and Business Services Industry (11.2 percent), and the Construction Industry (8.1 percent).
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit texaslmi.com.
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a nonprofit community partnership providing no cost recruitment, employment services and childcare assistance, to businesses, employers and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop; Blanco; Burnet; Caldwell; Fayette; Hays; Lee; Llano; and Williamson counties. For more details on WSRCA, and the services it offers, visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com.
*All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
