Texas initial unemployment claims fall for fifth straight week

​​​COLLEGE STATION – In the week ending May 13, over 122,400 initial unemployment insurance claims were filed in Texas. That brings the total since March 21 to 2.2 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). 

Unemployment claims fell for the fifth straight week after rebounding on April 18.

"The number of initial claims continue to fall steadily, although the numbers are still worrisome," said Real Estate Center Research Economist Dr. Luis Torres.

Using data from the DOL and the Employment and Training Administration, the Center estimates that from March 21 to May 16 nearly 468,000 seasonally adjusted claims were filed in Dallas-Fort Worth. That is the highest of Texas’ major metros. 

In Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, an estimated 457,600, 147,600, and 136,600 claims were filed during that time, respectively. 

Along the border, an estimated 49,600, 49,200, 22,200, and 13,800 claims were filed in McAllen, El Paso, Brownsville, and Laredo, respectively. 

From March 21 to May 16, over 10,300 unemployment claims were filed in College Station-Bryan.

Accommodation and food services, administrative/support/waste management/remediation services, and retail trade represented the sectors with the biggest unemployment claims.

Last month, around 1.05 million Texans left the workforce.

"This has implications for the unemployment rate and future growth potential," said Torres.

Nationwide, 40.7 million unemployment claims have been filed since March 21. ​​

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