Texas’ initial jobless claims drop considerably
COLLEGE STATION – Initial unemployment insurance claims in Texas decreased to 38,100 the week ending Feb. 6, continuing a four-week downward trend.
This is the largest weekly decline since the week ending Sept. 12, 2020.
"The solid decline in initial claims is a sign that layoffs have started to slow," said Texas Real Estate Research Center Research Economist Dr. Luis Torres.
The total unemployment claims filed since March 21, 2020, is 4.36 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Continuing unemployment claims increased to 337,000 the week ending Jan. 30, indicating that laid off workers are struggling to find job opportunities.
The number of workers receiving benefits through the pandemic unemployment assistance program, which is open to gig workers and others who don’t typically receive benefits, fell the week ending Feb. 6.
Last week, U.S. initial claims decreased to 793,300, bringing the 47-week total to 78 million.
Fewer people in Texas’ major and border metros filed new unemployment claims the week ending Jan. 30.
Using data from the DOL and the Employment and Training Administration, the Center has estimated unemployment claims for Texas’ major and border metros since March 21:
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, 1.01 million claims;
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 961,000 claims;
San Antonio-New Braunfels, 297,500 claims;
Austin-Round Rock, 249,300 claims;
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 121,500 claims;
El Paso, 104,800 claims;
Brownsville-Harlingen, 53,500 claims; and
Laredo, 30,500 claims.
Retail trade registered the highest number of initial claims the week ending Jan. 30. That sector was followed by administrative/support/waste management/remediation services, healthcare and social assistance, construction, and accommodation and food services.
The Texas Real Estate Research Center has a wealth of economic information online for free.
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