Texas initial claims rise unexpectedly, trend still points downward
COLLEGE STATION – Initial jobless claims in Texas increased unexpectedly to 71,500 the week ending March 13. Despite the increase, claims continue to trend downward.
Texas’ increase accounted for 48 percent of last week’s national rise in jobless claims.
About 4.6 million unemployment claims have been filed since March 21, 2020, according to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) data.
Continuing unemployment claims increased to 360,100 the week ending March 6.
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, increased considerably the week ending March 13.
Last week, U.S. initial claims increased to 770,300, bringing the 52-week total to 81.9 million.
Fewer people in all of Texas’ major and border metros filed new unemployment claims the week ending March 6.
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, 1.06 million claims;
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 1.01 million claims;
San Antonio-New Braunfels, 311,800 claims;
Austin-Round Rock, 261,800 claims;
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 128,000 claims;
El Paso, 109,300 claims;
Brownsville-Harlingen, 56,300 claims; and
Laredo, 31,900 claims.
Increasing vaccination rates should lead to a faster recovery in the leisure and hospitality sector, possibly creating a wave of hiring that would allow thousands of laid-off workers to find jobs.
Healthcare and social assistance registered the highest number of initial claims the week ending March 6. That sector was followed by administrative/support/waste management/remediation services, retail trade, construction, manufacturing, and accommodation and food services.
The Texas Real Estate Research Center has a wealth of economic information online for free.
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