Texas led nation in job losses in March, ending 53-month hiring streak

Texas cities with the highest and lowest unemployment rates

In March, Texas' 53-month streak of job growth came to an end. But cities here still have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with most metros beating the U.S. national average of 5.5. Click through to see where the highest and lowest unemployment rates are located.

Source: Texas Workers Commission (figures not seasonally adjusted) less Texas cities with the highest and lowest unemployment rates

In March, Texas' 53-month streak of job growth came to an end. But cities here still have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with ... more Photo: JIM WILSON, STF Photo: JIM WILSON, STF Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Texas led nation in job losses in March, ending 53-month hiring streak 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

Texas led the nation in job cuts in March, tallying 25,400 losses. That number represents the state’s first decline in a stunning 53 months, according to a Texas Workforce Commission report.

The struggling energy industry finally ended the Lone Star State’s long string of jobs success that dated back to September 2010. With the worldwide plummet of oil prices, Texas has endured widespread employment losses.

Rig contractor Nabors announced Monday that the company cut 5,200 jobs, or 18 percent of its labor force since the start of 2015. Oil giants Baker-Hughes, Schlumberger and Halliburton have axed tens of thousands of positions during the crisis. More layoffs are expected in the summer.

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JP Morgan’s chief economist Michael Feroli said the losses are tantamount to a recession, the Wall Street Journal reported. Referring to the March report, Feroli said “a proportional loss on the national scale would be if the U.S. lost 304,000 jobs – a recession-like outcome not seen in some time.”

In December, Texas topped the U.S. with 45,700 hires, but experts like Feroli had been forecasting the growth would soon end after the 2014 oil prices downturn.

Other oil producers also took big hits in March. Oklahoma (12,900) had the second most losses. North Dakota – with one of the nation’s smallest workforces – lost 3,000 jobs. Overall, employers in 31 U.S. states decreased payrolls. California (39,800) and Florida (30,600) led the country in job creation.

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Despite the hit, Texas’ unemployment rate still dropped a percentage point to 4.2 percent (the same as the rate in Houston). That brings the rate to its lowest percentage since July 2007. The national rate held steady at 5.5 percent.

Due to all the prior growth, many of the oil towns maintain some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Bordertowns on the other town tell a different employment story.

Where in Texas are the lowest and highest unemployment rates? See the gallery above to find out.