Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood unemployment continues to fall

KILLEEN-TEMPLE-FORT HOOD – Unemployment fell to 7 percent in September, down from 7.7 percent in August 2012. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood was one of 11 areas in Texas to show an increase of 1,000 jobs compared to the previous month.

Total jobs grew to 129,900 in September compared to 128,900 in August, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

The biggest growth came in the government sector. There were 37,600 government positions in September compared to 36,900 in August. Although this shows an increase, it remains below the 38,000 figure recorded in September 2011.

Professional and business service jobs grew from 10,300 in August to 10,400 in September. Education and health services went from 20,400 in August to 20,700 in September. Manufacturing jobs also grew from 7,200 in August to 7,300 in September.

The only sector to show a decline between August and September was leisure and hospitality, which went from 12,900 jobs to 12,700.

For more on workforce data, see the Texas Workforce Commission.