LMI Press Release
December unemployment rate for Southeast Texas decreases to 5.2 percent
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeast Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for December 2025 decreased to 5.2 percent, down 0.2 percent from November’s rate of 5.4 percent, based on data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The total civilian labor force totals 187,107, which includes 177,353 employed and 9,754 unemployed. In addition, over 7,500 job openings from different industries were available*.
Area |
Dec 2025 |
Nov 2025 |
Dec 2024 |
| Texas | 3.9% | 4.2% | 3.7% |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Southeast Texas | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Hardin County | 4.2% | 4.5% | 4.1% |
| Jefferson County | 5.7% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| Orange County | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| Newton County | 6.1% | 6.4% | 6.2% |
| Beaumont | 4.9% | 5.2% | 4.9% |
| Port Arthur | 8.5% | 7.9% | 8.2% |
Current Unemployment Statistics (CES) provided by TWC report industry sector job gains and losses. All gains and losses are shown in the table below.
Industry Sector |
Monthly Increases |
Monthly Decreases |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 200 | |
| Government | 200 | |
| Manufacturing | 100 | |
| Mining, Logging, and Construction | -500 | |
| Leisure and Hospitality | -100 | |
| Other Services | -100 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
November 2025 unemployment rates for the Southeast Texas counties are as follows**:
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)/Texas Workforce Commission
-
- Jefferson; 5.7 percent (decrease of 0.1 from November; increase of 0.1 from December 2024)
- Orange: 4.5 percent (decrease of 0.3 from November; increase of 0.2 from December 2024)
- Hardin: 4.2 percent (decrease of 0.3 November; increase of 0.1 from December 2024)
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.
You can access the latest labor market data available for the Southeast Texas Workforce Development Area and even download raw data and graphs straight from the dashboard. In addition to the latest labor market statistics, the dashboard also includes information on job postings, skills demand and education, skills gaps, education pipeline trends, commuting patterns, and home values.
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*Source: Lightcast – Online job postings active from 12/01/2025 to 12/31/2025
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change