By Kingsville Independent News Staff
KINGSVILLE — Kleberg County’s unemployment rate increased slightly in May while the county’s labor force continued to grow compared with a year ago, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
The county’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in May from 4.0% in April, while the labor force increased to 14,413, with 13,762 employed and 651 unemployed, according to the commission’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) Program. The data also show employment increased from 13,598 workers in May 2025.
According to Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend’s May 2026 Labor Market Insider report, the Coastal Bend labor force grew by 1,577 people over the past year to 267,936 workers, while employers added 583 jobs during May. The report also shows the regional unemployment rate was 4.5%, compared with 4.3% statewide.
Among neighboring counties, the Texas Workforce Commission reported unemployment rates of 4.0% in Brooks County, 4.3% in Nueces County, 4.5% in both Kleberg and Aransas counties, 4.8% in Bee and Duval counties, 5.4% in Jim Wells County and 8.0% in Kenedy County.
Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend reported that healthcare and education remained the region’s largest employment sector, accounting for 28.9% of total employment. Trade, transportation and utilities, government, construction, and professional and business services rounded out the region’s five largest employment sectors.
The organization also reported that the fastest-growing industries over the past year included system quality construction, machinery and equipment wholesalers, individual and family services, management of companies, and computer systems design. At the state level, the Texas Workforce Commission reported that Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% in May.