According to a report published just before Christmas by the Texas Workforce Commission, the unemployment rate rose in November to 4.2%.  That’s right, 4.2%.  The latest figures put the national unemployment rate at 7.2%.  The November figures for Texas were barely up from 4.1% in October.  Oh, as a side note, the statewide unemployment rate in October matched a 31-year low.  These figures were adjusted for seaonal trends in hiring and firing.

The other notable fact is that Texas continues to add new jobs.  “Job growth in Texas continues to outpace the nation as employers hire workers and expand,” said [Texas Workforce] commission Chairwoman Diane Rath. “The solid economic foundation laid in Texas over recent years is serving employers and workers well.”  The biggest job increase came in the government-heavy sector of education and health services, at 4,700 new positions, according to commission figures. Professional and business services added 3,500 jobs, leisure and hospitality added 2,900 jobs, and construction added 2,200 jobs.

Coupled with our undervalued housing market, 2009 stands to be a fantastic year for Texans.

Following are the preliminary November unemployment rates for local areas in Texas, with revised October figures in parentheses. The figures are not seasonally adjusted. The statewide unadjusted jobless rate was 4.1 percent in November, up from 3.9 percent in October.

Abilene 3.5 (3.3)

Amarillo 3.2 (3.1)

Austin-Round Rock 3.5 (3.3)

Beaumont-Port Arthur 5.3 (4.9)

Brownsville-Harlingen 5.6 (5.1)

College Station-Bryan 3.4 (3.2)

Corpus Christi 4.2 (3.9)

Dallas-Plano-Irving 4.1 (3.9)

El Paso 5.4 (5.2)

Fort Worth-Arlington 4.0 (3.8 )

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown 4.0 (3.8 )

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood 4.6 (4.3)

Laredo 4.5 (4.1)

Longview 3.8 (3.6)

Lubbock 3.2 (3.1)

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 5.9 (5.3)

Midland 2.7 (2.7)

Odessa 3.2 (3.1)

San Angelo 3.5 (3.4)

San Antonio 3.9 (3.6)

Sherman-Denison 4.4 (4.4)

Texarkana 4.6 (4.4)

Tyler 4.0 (3.8 )

Victoria 3.5 (3.4)

Waco 4.0 (3.8 )

Wichita Falls 3.9 (3.7)