LMI Press Release
November unemployment rate for Southeast Texas jumps to 6 percent
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeast Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for November 2024 increased to 6 percent, up by 0.2 percent from October’s rate of 5.8 percent, according to data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). This jump can partially be attributed to a 780-person increase in the labor force. The total civilian labor force totals 170,476, which includes 160,304 employed and 10,172 unemployed. In addition, over 7,600 job openings from different industries were available*.
| wdt_ID | Area | Nov 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 4.2% | 4.1% | 3.5% |
| 2 | Beaumont-Port Arthur | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| 3 | Southeast Texas | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Hardin County | 5.0% | 4.8% | 4.2% |
| 6 | Jefferson County | 6.4% | 6.1% | 5.5% |
| 7 | Orange County | 5.5% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
| 8 | Newton County | 6.9% | 6.7% | 6.6% |
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | Beaumont | 6.0% | 5.9% | 5.1% |
| 11 | Port Arthur | 8.4% | 7.7% | 7.1% |
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 | 500 | |
| 2 | Mining, Logging and Construction | 200 | |
| 3 | Government | 200 | |
| 14 | Private Education and Health Services | 100 | |
| 16 | Professional and Business Services | 100 | |
| 18 | Manufacturing | -100 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
Since November 2023, the year-over-year unemployment rate has increased by 0.9 percent, and the local labor force has grown by 5,091 residents. November 2024 unemployment rates for the Southeast Texas counties are as follows**:
-
- Jefferson; 6.4 percent (up by 0.3 from October; up by 0.9 from November 2023)
- Orange: 5.5 percent (up by 0.2 from October; up by 0.9 from November 2023)
- Hardin: 5.0 percent (up by 0.2 from October; up by 0.8 from November 2023)
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 for the Southeast Texas Workforce Development Area on our dashboard, which 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 11/01/2024 to 11/30/2024
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change