Midland leads the nation with lowest unemployment

MIDLAND – Midland’s unemployment rate in December was not just the lowest in Texas — it was the lowest in the country at 3.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Neighboring city Odessa ranked seventh at 3.7 percent.

In November, Midland had tied for the second lowest unemployment rate of 3.0 percent; Bismarck, N.D. took the top spot at 2.6 percent. Midland, Bismarck (3.3 percent) and Lincoln, Neb. (3.4 percent) posted the three lowest rates in December.

The leisure and hospitality industry composes about 10 percent of the city’s total workforce, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The mining, logging and construction industry takes 25 percent, the biggest piece of Midland’s workforce.

Midland’s unemployment rates have trended downward, according to Lisa Givens with the TWC. Midland’s rate in June was 4.3 percent, 1.3 percentage points above the December rate.