LMI Press Release
June Unemployment Rate for Southeast Texas Rises to 6.9%
BEAUMONT, Texas – The unadjusted unemployment rate for Southeast Texas increased to 6.9 percent in June 2024, rising by 1.4 percent from May’s rate of 5.5 percent. This change is largely attributed to seasonal factors such as schools and universities letting staff go for the summer and student workers entering the labor force, according to the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Labor Market and Career Information division.
| wdt_ID | Area | Jun 2024 | May 2024 | Jun 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 4.5% | 3.8% | 4.2% |
| 2 | Beaumont-Port Arthur | 6.9% | 5.5% | 6.4% |
| 3 | Southeast Texas | 6.9% | 5.5% | 6.4% |
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Hardin County | 5.5% | 4.5% | 5.3% |
| 6 | Jefferson County | 7.4% | 5.9% | 6.8% |
| 7 | Orange County | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.8% |
| 8 | Newton County | 7.5% | 6.5% | 8.0% |
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | Beaumont | 6.3% | 5.2% | 5.8% |
| 11 | Port Arthur | 11.0% | 8.4% | 9.9% |
The Beaumont area’s Construction industry also saw a rise in unemployment insurance (UI) continued claims over the month. Compared to June 2023, the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) indicate that the unemployment rate for the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) only increased by 0.5 percentage points (from 6.4 percent to 6.9 percent) Year-over-year (YOY).
Statewide, data from the Current Unemployment Statistics (CES) shows that the State Government Educational Services and Local Government Educational Services sub-sectors lost a combined total of 40,500 jobs. In the Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA, only Local Government experienced a loss, shedding 200 jobs.
Despite these losses, several industry sectors reported job gains:
- Manufacturing: +200 jobs
- Professional and Business Services: +100 jobs
- Private Education and Health Services: +100 jobs
Overall, the Government sector saw a decrease of 200 jobs, while all other sectors remained unchanged. A detailed breakdown of these changes is provided below:
| wdt_ID | Industry Sector | Monthly Increases | Monthly Decreases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | 200 | |
| 2 | Professional and Business Services | 100 | |
| 3 | Private Education and Health Services | 100 | |
| 14 | Government | -200 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Texas stood at 4.0 percent in June, which is 0.1 percentage point below the national rate. The state’s civilian labor force achieved a new record-high total, with a six-month streak of growth, adding 49,100 people in June to reach 15,311,500.
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.
Upcoming Event: Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Youth Career Expo
Is your business interested in interacting with more than 3,000 high school students from Southeast Texas? The Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Youth Career Expo is scheduled for Thursday, February 6th, 2025, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Ford Park in Beaumont. With more than 130 exhibitors, including employers, training providers, non-profits, and government organizations, expected to engage youth with hands-on exhibits demonstrating careers in their respective industries, the Youth Career Expo is the premiere career exploration event for students in the Southeast Texas area.
“The Youth Career Expo allows businesses to influence and inspire the next generation of professionals. Engaging with thousands of students through interactive exhibits provides a unique platform to showcase career opportunities and develop future talent,” said Mary Hammon, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas. “This event is a pivotal moment for companies to contribute to the education and career readiness of local youth, ensuring a skilled and prepared workforce for the future.”
For more information on how to participate in the Youth Career Expo, please contact business@setworks.org. There is no charge to participate as an exhibitor. Sponsorships to support the event are available.
Stay Updated with Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas
Subscribe to Workforce Solutions’ podcast – Southeast Texas Works! on Google, Apple, Spotify, or Stitcher to hear the latest on economic development, job projections, funding for small businesses, and how to keep pace with workforce training requirements. The podcast is also available on our website at https://setworks.org/podcasts/.
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**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change