MCALLEN, Texas — Unemployment rates across the Rio Grande Valley and the South Texas border region saw across-the-board decreases in August, bolstered by seasonal public sector hiring and community-level economic development initiatives.
According to the latest figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and analyzed by Workforce Solutions, local economies in Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Willacy, and Webb counties all posted month-over-month declines in joblessness.
The regional employment gain was largely anchored by public education and law enforcement, which added an estimated 2,000 non-agricultural jobs to the border region during the month.
Across the Rio Grande Valley, county unemployment rates showed marked improvement compared to previous months:
At the municipal level, McAllen registered the lowest unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley at 5.1 percent, followed closely by Edinburg at 5.6 percent. Mission reported a rate of 5.7 percent (down 0.3 percent), Harlingen stood at 5.9 percent (down 0.3 percent), and Brownsville logged an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent (down 0.6 percent). Laredo tied Webb County’s overall mark at 4.4 percent (down 0.4 percent).
Combined, the McAllen and Brownsville Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) reflected a net gain of 700 jobs in August.
The sector estimates for the border region—encompassing the McAllen, Brownsville, and Laredo MSAs—highlighted notable shifts across industries:
In total, non-agricultural employment across the three border MSAs expanded by 800 jobs in August.
The regional metrics come as broader state and national labor markets hold relatively steady. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent in August, while Texas saw its statewide seasonally adjusted rate dip to 4.4 percent.
Texas added 5,600 non-agricultural jobs over the month, bringing total annual job growth in the Lone Star State to 159,400 positions—a 1.1 percent increase over the past 12 months. Statewide growth was buoyed by manufacturing (+2,200 jobs in August) and government services (+5,900 jobs in August).
In tandem with the labor market report, regional leaders and Workforce Solutions highlighted several workforce development efforts taking place in the Valley.
In Starr County, TWC Commissioner Alberto Treviño III presented an $85,924 High Demand Job Training (HDJT) Grant check to Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley during an award ceremony hosted by Rio Grande City Grulla ISD. Matched by funds from the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation, the grant will support the school district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, funding equipment and instruction in automotive, culinary arts, and accounting.
Additionally, in Hidalgo County, Workforce Solutions partnered with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Services to host a "Boost Your Business Lunch & Learn" seminar focused on inclusive hiring and workforce resources.
To address ongoing employer needs, Workforce Solutions hosted 22 hiring events in August involving 69 employers and 1,129 job seekers, resulting in 70 on-the-spot job offers. Data extracted from WorkInTexas indicated that 800 individuals secured employment with assistance from Workforce Solutions during the month, including 156 direct hires and 644 indirect placements.
