Back to top

LMI Press Release

October unemployment rate for Southeast Texas decreases to 5.2 percent

The Southeast Texas unemployment rate for October decreased to 5.2 percent, down 0.6 percent from September rate of 5.8 percent. According to the Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from Texas Workforce Commission, the following industry experienced job gains: Government (500); Leisure and Hospitality (300); Mining, Logging, and Construction (200); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (200); Manufacturing (100); Financial Activities (100); Professional and Business Services (100) and Private Education and Health Services (100). All other industries remained unchanged.

Area
Texas
Beaumont-Port Arthur
Southeast Texas

Hardin County
Jefferson County
Orange County
Newton County

Beaumont
Port Arthur

Oct 2023
3.8%
5.2%
5.2%

4.5%
5.5%
4.8%
6.6%

5.3%
6.8%

Sept 2023
4.1%
5.8%
5.8%

4.9%
6.2%
5.3%
7.1%

5.7%
8.4%

Oct 2022
3.7%
5.3%
5.2%

4.7%
5.4%
5.2%
6.1%

5.0%
6.6%

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)/Texas Workforce Commission and Bureau of Labor Statistics
Industry Sector Monthly Increases Monthly Decreases
Government 500
Leisure and Hospitality 300
Mining, Logging, and Construction 200
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 200
Manufacturing 100
Financial Activities 100
Professional and Business Services 100
Private Education and Health Services 100
Source: Current Employment Statistics (CES)/Texas Workforce Commission

According to a press release from Texas Workforce Commission, Texas continues to experience record-high job growth. The state employed 20,900 people in October, bringing the total number of jobs to 15,162,100. Since October 2022, Lone Star State employment grew by 391,500 positions and continues to lead the nation in number of jobs added over the year.

Inclusion Works 2023 took place on Oct. 26 at the Event Centre in Beaumont, Texas. This event was in honor of National Disability Employer Awareness Month (NDEAM) which celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Temple Grandin, award-winning author, autism advocate and professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

“We would like to thank all employers, educators and community members that helped make Inclusion Works a special event.” said Mary Hammon, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas. “We look forward to continuing the work that allows individuals with disabilities to get to work and experience the great opportunities that are available in our region.”

The 10th annual Youth Career Expo is set for Thursday, February 8th, at Ford Park in Beaumont. We are still accepting exhibitors for the event to showcase careers in their industries through hands-on demonstrations. Last year more than 3,400 area high school students attended from schools in Region 5 ESC. For more information contact business@setworks.orgsetworks.org/lmi-dash/

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.

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 setworks.org/podcasts.

Employers can subscribe to the Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas newsletter by visiting newsletter.setworks.org and clicking the Subscribe to Newsletter.