AUSTIN – The Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate stayed steady in February, remaining just above pre-pandemic levels.
Austin metro unemployment held at 3.3%** from January 2022 to February 2022, representing 44,912 unemployed residents, according to updated data released today from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remained below Texas (4.7%) and national (4.1%) rates.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro gained 11,700 jobs from January to February. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 9.1%, representing the collective gain of 101,700 jobs since February 2021.
- Further, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County*** region also stayed steady at 3.3% from January to February, representing 25,942 unemployed residents.
- Of note: The unemployment data released today is not seasonally adjusted.
The size of Austin metro’s labor force and total number of residents employed have exceeded post-pandemic levels, a new Workforce Solutions Capital Area report shows.
As of December 2021, the Austin metro labor force (or sum of employed and unemployed persons) stood at 1.32 million people. Comparatively, the labor force stood at 1.26 million people in February 2020, according to seasonally adjusted data from JobsEQ. Further, as of December 2021, there are 1.28 million people in the labor force who are employed and working, compared to 1.22 million in February 2020.
The report also looks at the region’s growing population by factoring in domestic migration (people who move to the area from other states). In 2020, the Austin metro experienced an above average domestic migration rate at 21.3%, or 48,873 people, compared to previous years. Austin started to see a real bump in migration rates beginning in 2019 (18.6%) compared to 2018 (13.7%).
“Statistically speaking, most Austinites are working and the region is attractive for in-bound talent,” says Tamara Atkinson, CEO at Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “The challenge — which is a positive economic sign — is that job creation is also increasing, and workers have options.”
“Job growth means more opportunities, especially for people with skills,” said Atkinson. “Workforce Solutions is invested in growing our workforce. We’re connecting local people to the skills needed for higher-paying careers here in Austin-Travis County.”
“Workforce Solutions serves as the single source for Austin-Travis County job seekers to find work and for business owners to find and retain local talent,” said Melanie Flowers, Board Chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “If a person needs immediate employment, we assist them with finding jobs by industry, and connect them to career training and supports like childcare and transportation.”
February Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
- Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced significant regional job growth from January to February include Leisure & Hospitality (4,600), Education & Health Services (2,300), and Trade, Transportation & Utilities (1,700).
- Other industries that experienced monthly job growth include Manufacturing (1,400), Professional & Business Services (1,400), and Government (1,100).
- Monthly Decreases: Other Services (-1,800) is the only industry that experienced regional job losses from January to February.
- Annual Increases: Leisure & Hospitality experienced the greatest regional job growth over the last 12 months with an increase of 24.1%, followed by Information (15.6%) and Professional & Business Services (14.9%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (8.9%), Education & Health Services (7.5%), Financial Activities (7.1%), and Manufacturing (7%).
- Annual Decreases: Government (-1.1%).
Upcoming workforce community engagement session
Travis County Precinct One, Manor ISD, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area will host a community engagement session Wednesday, April 6 in the Manor ISD Central Administration Building board room. This meeting is part of an ongoing effort to convene community leaders to learn and give feedback on how Workforce Solutions Capital Area can link residents to high-demand, higher-paying jobs. Discussion topics include the region’s updated community workforce plan — called Austin’s Hire Local Plan — and expanded training opportunities made possible by workforce development investments from Travis County and City of Austin.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19.
Residents seeking assistance can contact us at 512.549.4967 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about our many services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, Workforce Solutions is leading the region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce.
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*The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
**Unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
***The Capital Area Workforce Development Area includes Travis County.
