LMI Press Release
December unemployment rate for Southeast Texas decreases to 5.6 percent
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeast Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for December 2024 dropped to 5.6 percent, down by 0.4 percent from November’s rate of 6 percent, according to data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The total civilian labor force totals 170,276, which includes 160,812 employed and 9,464 unemployed. In addition, over 8,100 job openings from different industries were available*.
| wdt_ID | Area | Dec 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 3.7% | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| 2 | Beaumont-Port Arthur | 5.6% | 6.0% | 5.2% |
| 3 | Southeast Texas | 5.6% | 6.0% | 5.2% |
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Hardin County | 4.4% | 5.0% | 4.3% |
| 6 | Jefferson County | 6.0% | 6.4% | 5.6% |
| 7 | Orange County | 5.0% | 5.5% | 4.7% |
| 8 | Newton County | 6.6% | 6.9% | 6.5% |
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | Beaumont | 5.4% | 6.0% | 4.8% |
| 11 | Port Arthur | 8.4% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
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 | 300 | |
| 2 | Professional and Business Services | 100 | |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 100 | |
| 14 | Mining, Logging and Construction | -200 | |
| 16 | Leisure and Hospitality | -100 | |
| 18 | Other Services | -100 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
Since December 2023, the year-over-year unemployment rate has increased by 0.4 percent, and the local labor force has grown by 5,868 residents. December 2024 unemployment rates for the Southeast Texas counties are as follows**:
-
- Jefferson; 6 percent (down by 0.4 from November; up by 0.4 from December 2023)
- Orange: 5 percent (down by 0.5 from November; up by 0.3 from December 2023)
- Hardin: 4.4 percent (down by 0.6 from November; up by 0.1 from December 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 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 12/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change