Beaumont-Port Arthur posts highest unemployment rate among major Southeast Texas metros in April 2026, state report says

April data shows 9,450 Beaumont-area residents out of work, up 904 from last year, even as Texas added 82,400 jobs statewide.

BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont-Port Arthur area posted an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent in April 2026, running more than a full percentage point above both the Texas and national rates of 4.6 percent, according to data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The region’s civilian labor force stood at 184,380 in April, with 174,930 residents employed and 9,450 unemployed. Year over year, the area lost 1,434 jobs, with the unemployed population rising by 904 people, pushing the annual unemployment rate up 0.5 percentage points from 4.6 percent in April 2025.

This story continues below.

The figures place the Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA among the higher-unemployment metros in Texas. Of the more than two dozen metropolitan areas tracked by the commission, only Brownsville-Harlingen, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Eagle Pass, and Laredo reported higher jobless rates in April.

Our area’s regional picture contrasts with broader momentum across the state. Texas added a total of 82,400 nonfarm jobs over the past year for an annual growth rate of 0.6 percent, outpacing the national nonfarm growth rate by 0.4 percentage points, according to TWC. The state reached 14,394,300 total nonfarm jobs after adding 300 positions in April.

“Texas continues to demonstrate economic resilience by outpacing the national growth rate and reaching nearly 14.4 million jobs,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Through our support for initiatives like the Texas Jobs Council, we are gathering the insights necessary to keep our workforce competitive, so Texas employers can continue to lead their industries and drive our state’s growth.”

Statewide, the Professional and Business Services industry posted the largest private-sector over-the-month increase in April, adding 4,700 jobs. Construction added 3,500 jobs and extended its streak as the fastest-growing major industry for the 21st consecutive month, with annual growth of 2.1 percent.

“The growth we see across industries like construction and professional services translates to more high-demand opportunities for working Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III.