Labor Market Intelligence
Coastal Bend Sees Growth in Key Sectors Amid Shifting Trends
January 2024 LMI
**Released January 24, 2025. Reflects data up to December 2024. **
Month-Over-Month Shifts
In the Texas Workforce Commission’s December 2024 labor market report, the Coastal Bend region’s unemployment rate decreased 0.6 percentage points from 4.6% to 4.0%. Among the eleven counties within the Coastal Bend region, ten counties reported a decrease in unemployment during the same period.
As of December 2024, the region’s unemployment rate of 4.0% reflects 10,864 residents actively seeking employment, with 10,879 job openings across a variety of industries.
An unemployment rate around 4% is generally considered close to “full employment,” meaning most people who want to work can find jobs, though some may be temporarily between jobs or changing careers, it is an excellent indicator of a healthy economy.
Year-Over-Year Changes
The Coastal Bend region experienced a year-over-year increase in unemployment, slightly rising by 0.2 percentage points from 3.8% in December 2023 to 4.0% in December 2024.
Comparison with State and National Trends
Month-Over-Month
- Texas: The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.5 percentage points from 4.2% in November 2024 to 3.7% in December 2024.
- Nationally: The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also had a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from 4.0% to 3.8%.
Year-Over-Year
- Texas: The unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points, from 3.5%in December 2023 to 3.7% in December 2024.
- Nationally: The unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points, from 3.5% in December 2023 to 3.8% in December 2024.
Texas Labor Market Growth
The Texas labor market achieved a new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force in December. The state added 37,500 positions over the month, reaching a total of 14,318,700 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 284,200 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 2.0%, which outpaced the U.S. growth rate by 0.6 percentage points.
December marks the twelfth consecutive month of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,575,900 after adding 39,900 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 445,300 people.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.2%.
“This new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force shows the strength of Texas’ economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC will continue its efforts for continued economic growth by connecting job seekers with employers and providing job training for Texans.”
The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in December after adding 17,800 jobs. In addition, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 10,400 jobs over the month and Leisure and Hospitality added 3,700. In Texas, Financial Activities grew by 3.6% over the year and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 3.0 percentage points.
“The Texas economy is thriving in diverse sectors,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Alberto Treviño III. “I encourage job seekers to leverage TWC resources to find rewarding career opportunities that best match their skills.”
Sectors Driving Growth
Both the Coastal Bend region and the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) displayed growth in diverse industries, weekly wages, and year-over-year employment statistics.
The Financial Activities sector experienced a 2.0% increase across the region, while both the Manufacturing and Education and Health Services sectors saw a 1.1% year-over-year growth compared to December 2023.
In the Corpus Christi MSA, the Financial Activities sector led year-over-year growth with a 5.3% increase from 2023 to 2024, followed closely by the Private Education and Health Services sector, which grew by 3.0% during the same period.
Local Resources
Job seekers in the region can explore 10,879 job openings, including 3,588 newly added job postings across various industry sectors. To access these opportunities, register at WorkinTexas.com, visit our website at wfscb.org, email us at Info@workforcesolutionscb.org, or stop by one of our Workforce Career Centers. For assistance, call 888-860-JOBS (5627).
*Advertised jobs are spidered daily in real-time. Real-time advertised jobs are collected from employer corporate sites, hospitals, non-profits, local and federal government.
Labor Market Information Definitions
Not Seasonally Adjusted (Actual) – Data has not been subjected to the seasonal adjustment process. In other words, the effects of regular or seasonal patterns have not been removed from these series. Not seasonally adjusted data is available for smaller geographies, where seasonally adjusted is only available down to the state level. Use this data to view raw numbers, and for geographies smaller than state level.
Seasonally Adjusted – Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example, higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays. Use this data for month-to-month comparisons for Texas and the United States.
Labor Force – Residents who are at least 16 years old, not serving in the military or institutionalized, and employed or seeking employment.
Download Targeted Occupations List 2024-2025 (PDF)
The targeted occupations list is developed by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend for the most effective use of local workforce development resources. Sources of information for the target list are local area employers, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, community partners, Texas Workforce Commission labor market information regarding the Coastal Bend Counties, and knowledge gained from continuous contact with the above sources.
Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend’s Strategic Business Plan 2021-2025 has been updated to comply with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regulations. The final draft has been approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Written comments were submitted electronically, delivered via mail or in-person to the Board Administrative offices, Chief Operating Officer at 400 Mann St. Suite 800, Corpus Christi TX 78401
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