AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas jobless rate has started the year on a lower note with 4.5 percent unemployment during January.

The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday announced that compares to a revised December statewide jobless rate of 4.6 percent. Nationwide unemployment was 4.9 percent in January.

TWC figures show Amarillo had the lowest unemployment rate in Texas during January at 3.0 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the state's highest jobless rate at 8.1 percent.

Commission officials say Texas employers expanded their payrolls in January with the addition of 31,400 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. That marks the 10th consecutive month of job growth for the state.

TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar says Texas employers added 187,400 jobs over the past year, highlighting the diversity of the state's economy.

 

More From ESPN 960 San Angelo