The jobless rate in the city, county, state and country continued to decline in September.
Denton and Denton County unemployment rates declined by seven-tenths of a percentage point — the city from 5.7 percent in August to 5 percent in September and the county from 6.3 percent in August to 5.6 percent in September — according to data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission.
“We are pleased the rate continued to decrease,” said Erica Sullivan, economic development analyst with the city of Denton.
Sullivan said the numbers were also the lowest unemployment rate at all levels so far this year.
Close to 3,182 people were looking for work in September in Denton according to the data, while 21,290 people were looking for work in Denton County.
Compared to last year, the city and county unemployment rates were significantly lower. Records show a 6.3 percent unemployment rate for the city in September 2011 and 6.9 percent for the county in the same period.
In Texas, the unemployment rate fell to 6.3 percent in September, also a decrease by seventh-tenths of a percentage point from 7.0 percent in August. The state unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point at the same time last year.
The labor market is showing encouraging signs with a record number of people now employed, said Texas Workforce Commission chairman Andres Alcantar in a statement Friday.
Texas added 21,000 non-farm jobs in September for a total of 262,500 jobs during the year, the commission reported.
Of the number of jobs added, the largest gain was in professional and business services, which grew by 13,600 jobs. Overall, seven of 11 major industries had increases in job growth this month, according to the commission report.
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased six-tenths of a percentage point from 8.2 percent in August to 7.6 percent in September. Last year, it dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point during the same period.
The local numbers are not seasonally adjusted.
KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com.
