LMI Press Release
May unemployment rate for Southeast Texas increases to 5.4 percent
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeast Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for May 2026 increased to 5.4 percent, up 0.3 percent from April’s rate of 5.1 percent, based on data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The total civilian labor force totals 185,050, which includes 175,085 employed and 9,965 unemployed. In addition, over 6,300 job openings from different industries were available*.
Area |
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
| Texas | 4.3% | 4.0% | 4.0% |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 5.4% | 5.1% | 4.9% |
| Southeast Texas | 5.4% | 5.1% | 4.9% |
| Hardin County | 4.5% | 4.1% | 4.3% |
| Jefferson County | 5.8% | 5.6% | 5.3% |
| Orange County | 4.9% | 4.6% | 4.2% |
| Newton County | 6.1% | 5.6% | 6.0% |
| Beaumont | 5.0% | 4.7% | 4.9% |
| Port Arthur | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7.4% |
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 |
| Mining, Logging and Construction | 300 | |
| Manufacturing | 200 | |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 200 | |
| Other Services | 100 | |
| Private Education and Health Services | -100 |
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission
May 2026 unemployment rates for the Southeast Texas counties are as follows**:
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)/Texas Workforce Commission
-
- Jefferson; 5.8 percent (increase of 0.2 from April; increase of 0.5 from May 2025)
- Orange: 4.9 percent (increase of 0.3 from April; increase of 0.7 from May 2025)
- Hardin: 4.5 percent (increase of 0.4 April; increase of 0.2 from May 2025)
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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Data for June 2026 will be released on Friday, July 17th.
*Source: Lightcast – Online job postings active from 05/01/2026 to 05/31/2026
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to change