ICYMI - SAXN: State, local jobless rate remains low
Unemployment rates in San Antonio and Texas continue to remain well below the national jobless rate, which has been stuck in double-digits despite growth in the economy.
San Antonio posted a jobless rate of 6.8 percent for December, unchanged from November but up from 5.3 percent for December 2008.
Texas' unemployment, meanwhile, rose to 8.3 percent in December -- up from 8 percent in November and 5.6 percent December 2008.
The eight-county area that comprises San Antonio's metropolitan statistical area lost 9,000 nonagricultural jobs last year – a 1.1 percent decline. That includes the loss of 500 jobs in December.
Professional and business services and manufacturing accounted for most of the loss last year in San Antonio, off 4,600 and 4,200 jobs, respectively. Government added 3,700 jobs last year, the most of any industry in San Antonio.
Texas, meanwhile, shed 275,900 jobs in 2009, including 23,900 in December. In the previous three months, Texas had added nearly 50,000 jobs.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector lost 108,500 jobs last year, more than any other industry in the state. Government added 82,000 jobs, followed by education and health services, which added 60,400 jobs last year.
The state and national unemployment figures, unlike the local numbers, are adjusted to remove the effects of normal seasonal hiring changes.
