The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program is a system run by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that provides key labor market data for specific geographic areas within the United States. This includes detailed statistics on employment, unemployment, and labor force participation for states, counties, cities, and metropolitan areas.

LAUS data is based on a combination of various surveys and statistical models, particularly the Current Population Survey (CPS) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims data. The program offers information such as:

1. Unemployment Rates: The percentage of people in the labor force who are unemployed.
2. Labor Force Statistics: The total number of people working or actively seeking work in a given area.
3. Employment Data: The number of employed individuals in a region.

LAUS data is crucial for understanding local labor market conditions, supporting policy decisions, economic planning, and assisting businesses, researchers, and government agencies in evaluating regional economic health. The LAUS Data used here is from TexasLMI.com, the Texas Workforce Commission Labor Market Department. 

Current Month LAUS Data (PDF format):

In December 2025, unemployment rates declined across the U.S., Texas, and Northeast Texas, signaling a seasonal strengthening of labor market conditions. Northeast Texas posted a 3.8 percent unemployment rate, improving from 4.1 percent in November and aligning closely with the statewide rate of 3.9 percent, while remaining below the national rate of 4.4 percent. Within the region, Hopkins County recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent, reflecting continued employment stability, while Morris County reported the highest rate at 5.1 percent, though it also improved month over month. The regional labor force contracted modestly from November, a pattern consistent with year-end trends, yet remained above December 2024 levels, indicating continued workforce engagement over the year. Overall, both month-over-month and year-over-year comparisons suggest Northeast Texas closed the year with steady employment conditions and incremental gains in labor market balance.