COLLEGE STATION – In the week ending May 1, around 252,400 initial unemployment insurance claims were filed in Texas. That brings the total since March 21 to 1.84 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Unemployment claims have fallen for the second straight week after peaking on April 18.
The Real Estate Center estimates the unemployment rate across the state could be as high as 15 percent in April. Unemployment could hit 16.8 percent in May.
Using data from the DOL and the Employment and Training Administration, the Real Estate Center estimates that from March 21 to April 25, nearly 362,100 seasonally adjusted claims were filed in Dallas-Fort Worth. That is the highest of Texas’ major metros.
In Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, an estimated 342,800, 114,400, and 42,300 claims were filed during that time, respectively.
At the metro level, the Center estimates the unemployment rate could be 14 percent in Houston, 12.4 percent in San Antonio, 12.3 percent in DFW, and 6.5 percent in Austin.
Retail trade and accommodation and food services represented the sectors with the biggest unemployment claims.
Nationwide, nearly 33.5 million unemployment claims have been filed since March 21. The Center estimates the U.S. employment rate could be 21 percent in April and 22.9 percent in May.
The Real Estate Center has a wealth of economic information online for free.
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