AUSTIN, Texas – According to data released today from the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate did not change from November 2023 to December 2023, and is still at 3.0%**, as represented by 43,178 unemployed residents. Key takeaways include:
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remains below the Texas (3.5%) and national rate (3.5%) in December.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro lost 2,000 jobs from November to December. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 2.5%, representing the collective addition of 32,800 jobs since December 2022.
- Furthermore, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County region*** decreased slightly to 2.9% from November to December, representing 25,116 unemployed residents.
- Note: The unemployment data released today is not seasonally adjusted.
December Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
- Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced regional job growth from November to December include leisure and hospitality (3,600) and trade, transportation and utilities (3,000).
- Other industries that experienced monthly job growth include private education and health services (800) and manufacturing (200).
- Monthly Decreases: Professional and business services (-7,300), government (-1,300), mining, logging and construction (-900) and information (-100) experienced regional job losses from November to December.
- Annual Increases: Mining, logging and construction experienced the greatest regional job growth over the past 12 months with an increase of 10.5%, followed by private education and health services (5.9%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include other services (5.0%), government (3.0%), leisure and hospitality (2.3%), professional and business services (1.9%), financial activities (0.4%), trade, transportation and utilities (0.2%) and manufacturing (0.1%).
- Annual Decreases: Information (-3.0%) experienced an annual decrease from December 2022 to December 2023.
The Austin area workforce is larger than ever and its unemployment rate is the lowest among the top ten major Texas metropolitan areas. To continue improving Austin’s local workforce, Workforce Solutions Capital Area provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective to give employers insight into the barriers that local job seekers face and the benefits they need most.
“Often when someone enrolls in a program at Workforce Solutions Capital Area, they are in need of help with urgent matters like eviction, car-related expenses and dealing with food scarcity,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Higher skilled and higher paying jobs are a possibility for these individuals, though they are usually unaware of these options. Our job search programs are designed to help individuals with lower incomes power through the barriers to employment, without added economic pressures.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area will be hosting a virtual event on Jan. 29, which will feature strategies and plans for overcoming significant barriers to employment and help individuals identify the resources available to them. The event is free and available to Travis County residents of all abilities. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register online.
“We understand that there are many obstacles to entering the workforce, such as dependable access to transportation and childcare,” Melanie Flowers, board chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Virtual services, such as online job search, training tools and virtual hiring events, can make finding a job as convenient as possible.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19. Residents seeking assistance can contact 512-454-9675 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves as the leadership and governing body for the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. They are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Learn more at WFSCapitalArea.com and follow along on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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*The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
**Unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
***The Capital Area Workforce Development Area includes Travis County.
