Unemployment rate in Texas rises to 6.4 percent

Unemployment in Texas rose to 6.4 percent in February 2013 from 6.3 percent the previous month, despite unusually strong job growth.

Employers in the state added 80,600 payroll positions, easily outpacing the rise in the labor force in February, but seasonal adjustments produced the higher unemployment rate. Without the adjustments, the jobless rate would have declined.

In the past year, Texas employers have added 359,800 nonfarm jobs, the Texas Workforce Commission reported today. TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said all 11 of the state’s major industry groups showed at least some growth, led by 24,500 more jobs in business and professional services and 15,700 in construction.

In Fort Worth-Arlington, the jobless rate was 6.3 percent, which is not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations. That was down from 6.7 percent in January. It compares to a Texas unadjusted jobless rate of 6.5 percent in January and 6.9 percent in January.

Fort Worth-Arlington employers added 5,400 jobs in February and have added 27,300 jobs in the past year, according to TWC.

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