AUSTIN (KXAN) — In April, Texas had its worst month on record — an unemployment rate of 12.8% — according to new data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, the Lone Star State still trails the national average of 14.7%. For comparison, Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in April at 28.2%.
“Texas’ initial claims, which can be considered a leading indicator for the unemployed, are trending downward,” Texas Workforce Commission spokesman Cisco Gamez said Friday.
Locally, the Austin area had an unemployment rate of 12.2% in April, with the hospitality industry accounting for the most job losses (58,700).
Texas’ unemployment numbers has never been this high. Previously, it peaked at 9.2% in November 1986. It was 9.2% from September through November of that year.
Overall, more than 2.7 million Texans have filed for unemployment and more than $7.1 billion has been paid out in benefits.
