Texas reports lowest unemployment rate since March, when coronavirus hit the state
Six months after the coronavirus pandemic hit Texas, the unemployment rate has dropped to 6.8%, the lowest rate since March 2020, when it was at 5.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
August’s data shows that the state’s economy is improving. In April, the unemployment rate hit a peak of 13.5% and has decreased since, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In last month’s report, the unemployment rate was at 8%.
In August, the professional and business services sector added 33,200 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities added 28,800 jobs; and the government sector added 25,000 jobs, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
“The Texas unemployment rate continues to move in a positive direction as job seekers and employers adjust to current challenges,” said, Bryan Daniel, Texas Workforce Commission chairman.
Locally, Tarrant County commissioners denied themselves and other elected officials a pay raise citing the coronavirus recession.
The high unemployment rate experienced in the state was largely due to the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted elected officials to close businesses to combat the spread. Then, since late April, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a reopening plan to jumpstart the economy.
Most recently, Abbott opened almost all businesses such as restaurants and retailers to 75% capacity, starting Monday except for bars, which he considers businesses that allow coronavirus to rapidly spread.
