AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas unemployment rate in February rose slightly to reach 4.9 percent.
The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday reported that compares to a January statewide jobless rate of 4.8 percent. Nationwide unemployment last month was 4.7 percent.
The Fort Worth-Arlington area reported an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, up from 4.2 percent in January and from 4 percent a year earlier. The Dallas-Plano-Irving area reported an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent, up from 4 percent in January and 3.7 percent a year earlier.
Commission officials say the Amarillo area had the lowest February jobless rate in Texas at 3.6 percent. A TWC statement says the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area recorded the state’s highest unemployment last month at 8.8 percent.
The education and health services industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 11,700 jobs added. leisure and hospitality employment grew by 4,400 jobs in February and manufacturing employment expanded by 3,900 jobs.
Agency officials say the Texas economy expanded in February with the addition of 6,700 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas employers added 222,400 jobs over the year. – FWBP Staff contributed to this report.
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Online:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/