Texans faced a state unemployment rate of 8.5 percent in August, up .1 percent from July and under the national average of 9.1 percent. The cause of the slight rise could be contributed to the decrease of government jobs in the state. Private sector jobs actually saw a large increase in jobs.

Texas saw a growth of 8,100 jobs in August for nonfarm employment. That puts this year’s total nonfarm job growth at 253,200. There has been positive job growth in Texas for 16 consecutive months.

Lubbock’s unemployment rate rose slightly from August of 2010 from 6.5 to 6.6 percent. 300 government jobs in Lubbock have been eliminated since August 2010. However in the private sector, 4,200 jobs were created in a one year span. Nonfarm and private employment was up .3 percent from July. Retail jobs in Lubbock saw a 5.1% rise from August one year ago.

Other unemployment statistics in the state include Amarillo with 5.9 percent up from 5.8 percent in August 2010, Abilene with 7.2 percent up from 6.7 percent and Midland, which was 4.8 percent down from 5.3 percent in August 2010.

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