Jobless rate drops to 6.1 percent in Waco area

WACO – The local area’s economy continues to produce jobs, with the unemployment rate dropping to 6.1 percent in August from 6.7 percent in July, which was the same rate as August of last year. The Waco MSA includes all of McLennan County.

That is the lowest jobless figure since the 5.8 percent of April. The Texas Workforce Commission reported that about 1,200 more people were working locally in August than in the same month a year ago.

Construction is leading the way, growing at 3.2 percent in the past month and 8.3 percent in the past year, and creating an estimated 500 jobs.

Compared to the state, the unemployment rate hit 6.3 percent in August, down from 6.7 percent in July and 6.9 percent in August a year ago. Texas added 274,000 jobs in the past year, and every major industry showed positive annual growth.

For all Texas areas, see the Texas Workforce Commission.