LMI Press Release
May unemployment rate for Southeast Texas increases slightly to 4.9 percent
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeast Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for May 2025 increased slightly to 4.9 percent, up 0.3 percent from April’s rate of 4.6 percent, based on data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The total civilian labor force totals 185,315, which includes 176,210 employed and 9,105 unemployed. In addition, over 8,134 job openings from different industries were available*.
| wdt_ID | Area | May 2025 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 4.0% | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| 2 | Beaumont-Port Arthur | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| 3 | Southeast Texas | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Hardin County | 4.3% | 3.9% | 4.3% |
| 6 | Jefferson County | 5.3% | 5.0% | 5.5% |
| 7 | Orange County | 4.3% | 3.9% | 4.5% |
| 8 | Newton County | 6.2% | 5.5% | 6.1% |
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | Beaumont | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| 11 | Port Arthur | 7.4% | 6.9% | 8.3% |
Current Unemployment Statistics (CES) provided by TWC report industry sector job gains and losses. All gains and losses are shown in the table below.
| wdt_ID | Industry Sector | Monthly Increases | Monthly Decreases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 400 | |
| 2 | Leisure and Hospitality | 400 | |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 100 | |
| 14 | Financial Activities | 100 | |
| 16 | Private Education and Health Services | 100 | |
| 18 | Professional and Business Services | -100 | |
| 21 | Mining, Logging and Construction | -100 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
Since May 2024, the year-over-year unemployment rate for the Southeast Texas WDA has decreased by 0.2 percent, and the local labor force has grown by 3,847 residents. The total of employed individuals has grown by nearly 4,000. May 2025 unemployment rates for the Southeast Texas counties are as follows**:
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)/Texas Workforce Commission
-
- Jefferson; 5.3 percent (increase of 0.3 from April; decrease of 0.2 from May 2024)
- Orange: 4.3 percent (decrease of 0.4 from April; decrease of 0.2 from May 2024)
- Hardin: 4.3 percent (decrease of 0.4 from April; no change from May 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 05/01/2025 to 05/31/2025
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change