Unemployment rate drops as workforce shrinks

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Scurry County’s unemployment rate dropped by one-tenth of a percent in December, although the workforce here continued to shrink, according to data from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Scurry County’s 3.2 percent unemployment rate was lower than November’s  3.3 percent rate, but higher than October’s  3.1 percent rate. According to TWC data, 6,360 people were employed countywide, out of a workforce of 6,573. 
Last month, 6,386 people were employed out of a 6,602 person workforce. In October, there were 6,759 individuals in the workforce with 6,547 employed.
Last December, the workforce was 6,904 and of that, 6,697 individuals were employed. 
In December 2014, the workforce included 8,386 individuals and 8,605 were considered employed by TWC, leading to an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent.
December unemployment rates were generally lower than they were in November across the region.
Andrews County had the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 2.3 percent while Dawson County had the highest at 3.9 percent.
Other county unemployment rates were Mitchell, 3.5 percent; Borden, 2.4 percent; Garza, 2.9 percent; Nolan, 2.8 percent; Howard, 3.0 percent; Coke, 2.4 percent; Fisher, 2.5 percent; and Kent, 2.9 percent.
In December the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, up a tenth of a percentage point from 3.4 percent in November 2019. Texas added 29,800 jobs over the month. In 2019, Texas set a record for the lowest unemployment rate since series tracking began in 1976.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded December’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 2.3. The Austin-Round Rock MSAs recorded the third lowest rate at 2.4 percent.
“Our current economic climate creates opportunities for our skilled workforce and success for employers. We look forward to continued growth in our great state throughout 2020,” TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Bryan Daniel said.
Texas employers added 342,800 jobs over the year. Total nonfarm annual employment growth was at 2.7 percent in December and has held at or above 2.0 percent since February 2018.
“Our workforce continues to grow and is now 14,188,100 Texans strong,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez said. 
Leading monthly job growth in December was the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry adding 11,600 jobs, followed by the Professional and Business Services sector adding 10,500 jobs, and Financial Activities which added 6,700 jobs.
“Our employers embody the entrepreneurial spirit of the Lone Star State and serve as the backbone of our great economy,” TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson said.