Cross Timbers Business Report, Volume 11, Number 1, Fall 1997 Page: 1
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Cross Timbers Business Report
Published by Tarleton State University, William L. Beaty, EditorUnemployment Statistics Indicate Robust Labor Markets
By William L. BeatyData released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
indicate tight labor market conditions in both the
U.S. economy and the State of Texas. September
jobless percentages in both labor markets were be-
low the year before, and many analysts suggest
these figures reveal full-employment conditions.
Cross-Timbers labor market statistics released by
the Texas Workforce Commission also indicate
strong labor demand. Although September unem-
ployment rates were higher than year-before values
in four of five counties, most areas reported rates
below national and state figures.
The United States unemployment rate moved
from 4.8 percent of the civilian labor force in July
to 4.9 percent in August and September then fell to
4.7 percent in October. The average jobless figure
for the first nine months of 1997 was 5.0 percent.
This value lies 0.4 percentage point below the value
for the same period in 1996.
The Texas jobless percentage declined from 5.5
percent in July to 5.4 percent in August to 5.3 per-
cent in September 1997. The year-to-date average
of 5.5 percent also compares favorably to the 5.9
percent average for the year before.
The Erath County unemployment rate de-
creased from 2.8 percent in July to 2.7 percent in
August to 2.5 percent in September. Although
September's jobless percentage is above the 2.3
percent rate determined last year, the year-to date
average of 2.7 percent falls slightly below the 2.8
percent figure posted the year before.
Bosque County's jobless statistic fell from 5.2
percent in July to 4.9 percent in August to 4.3 per-
cent in September. This year's figure compares
unfavorably to the 3.5 percent value posted in Sep-
tember 1996. Bosque County's January-September
average of 4.8 percent also lies above the 4.4 per-
cent rate calculated the year before.
Comanche County reported a jobless rate that
declined from 4.6 percent in July to 3.9 percent in
August to 3.4 percent in September. Last Septem-
ber's jobless rate was 3.5 percent. This county's
unemployment rate for the first nine months of1997 averaged 4.3 percent. This value is 0.3 per-
centage point below the figure for the previous
year.
Eastland County's unemployment statistic
dropped from 5.8 percent in July to 5.0 percent in
August to 4.2 percent in September. That month's
value is slightly above the 4.1 percent value posted
the previous September. The 5.1 percent average
unemployment rate for the first nine months of
1997 is also slightly above the 4.9 percent mean
calculated for the previous year.
Hamilton County's jobless ratio declined from
3.9 percent in July to 3.8 percent in August to 3.3
percent in September. Although September's value
compares unfavorably to the 2.9 percent rate for the
previous year, the county's year-to-date average of
3.1 percent lies well below the 3.8 percent tally for
1996.
Unemployment statistics are collected and re-
ported by state and local authorities on a monthly
basis. National and state data are adjusted for nor-
mal seasonal variation, but county statistics are re-
leased without seasonal adjustment.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES0'
Jul Sep Nov Jan Mar May Jul
1996 1997
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and Texas Workforce CommissionSep
Volume 11, No. 1
Fall, 1997
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Tarleton State University. Department of Business Systems. Cross Timbers Business Report, Volume 11, Number 1, Fall 1997, periodical, Autumn 1997; Stephenville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth298211/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarleton State University.