Jobs dip in city, gain in county
The unemployment rate in San Marcos dropped by nearly half a percentage point between August and September, though it ticked up slightly in Hays County, Texas and the nation as a whole.
The latest numbers come as the Texas Workforce Commission reports the state has recorded job growth for the 27th consecutive month.
San Marcos’ September jobless rate was 3.2 percent. That compares to 3.6 percent for August and 3.0 percent for September 2017.
In Hays County, the latest figures indicate a September jobless rate of 3.0 — down from 3.2 percent in August but up compared to 2.9 percent in September 2017.
The TWC lists Texas’ September (non-adjusted) unemployment rate as 3.7 percent, down from 3.9 percent in August and 4.0 percent in September of last year. For the nation, the TWC lists a September jobless rate of 3.6 percent, down from 3.9 percent in August and 4.1 percent in September 2017.
The TWC says the state’s rate, which is 3.8 percent when seasonally adjusted, sets “a new record for the lowest unemployment rate in four decades” and notes that Texas added 15,600 new jobs last month. The annual growth rate for September was 3.3 percent.
“Texas employers continue to contribute to our state’s success with private-sector employers adding 16,700 jobs in September and accounting for an impressive 402,500 jobs over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chair Ruth Ruggero Hughs. “Texas’ continued addition of jobs over a 27 month period demonstrates the competitive advantage and market opportunities available to our Texas employers and world-class workforce.”
September’s annual growth in the state’s goods producing industries was strong at 6.9 percent. Over the month, construction added 3,000 jobs, followed by the manufacturing industry with 2,800 positions, while mining and logging employment expanded by 2,600 positions.
In Texas’ service providing sector, financial activities added 5,800 positions over the month, and led all industries in job growth for September. Also within this sector, professional and business services added 2,500 jobs, followed by trade, transportation and utilities which added 2,100.
