Unemployment Rises in Abilene
By: Laura Kellerman/RNS
Updated: December 19, 2008
The unemployment rate rose in Abilene last month, from 4.1 percent to 4.4 percent.According to the Texas Workforce Commission, 3,600 Abilenians were unemployed in November, compared to 3,400 in October.
Across Texas, employers now have added 221,200 jobs in the past 12 months, for an annual job growth rate of 2.1 percent.
The United States recorded 1.9 million job losses during the same period, for a negative annual job growth rate of -1.4 percent.
Texas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.7 percent in November, up from 5.6 percent in October and 4.2 percent in November 2007.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 percent in November, up from 6.5 percent in October and 4.7 percent a year ago.
Despite a slight increase in the unemployment rate statewide, the falling unemployment rates in Southeast Texas reflect that those adversely affected by the impact of Hurricane Ike are getting back to work.

