Texas Workforce Commission Reports Unemployment Rate Up in October

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas unemployment rate for October rose to 4.4 percent.

The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday reported that compares to a statewide jobless rate of 4.2 percent in September. Nationwide unemployment was 5.0 percent last month.

Commission officials say Amarillo had the lowest statewide unemployment rate during October at 3.2 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the highest jobless rate in Texas at 7.4 percent.

The TWC says Texas employers added 20,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in October, marking the eighth month of 2015 with jobs added.

Chairman Andres Alcantar says Texas employers continue to contribute to the state's economy by adding 203,900 jobs over the past year.