Lubbock's unemployment rate fell to 5.7 percent last month as the area gained 800 jobs, according to figures released today by the Texas Workforce Commission.
The Hub City's rate was the second lowest in the state, behind both Amarillo and Midland, where unemployment in May fell to 5.4 percent.
Census-related hiring proided the big push, as federal government positions meant 400 new jobs last month in the Lubbock-Crosby metropolitan statistical area, according to Texas Workforce Commission estimates.
The Lubbock jobless rate in April was 5.9 percent. A year ago, the jobless rate was 4.9 percent.
Across the South Plains, the unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent in April. A year ago, the rate was 5.4 percent.
The state's seasonally adjusted rate held at 8.3 percent from April, below the national figure of 9.7 percent.
Texas gained an estimated 43,600 jobs last month, and set a record again for total employment with 11.2 million workers on the job.
For more details on this story, check back with Lubbock Online later today, or see how the story unfolds in Saturday's A-J.
