Denton, TX – December 2023 Jobs Report – Holiday Boost Masks Underlying Trends

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Denton’s December 2023 jobs report presents a mixed picture, reflecting both seasonal influences and underlying economic dynamics. The city added 70 nonfarm jobs, contributing to a year-end total of 350 new positions. While exceeding December 2022’s job growth, this figure masks potential concerns and highlights the need for strategic development beyond holiday hiring trends.

Highlights:

  • Modest job growth: December saw an addition of 70 jobs, bringing the year-end total to 350 new positions.
  • Unemployment rate dips: Denton’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.0%, remaining lower than the national average of 3.5%.
  • Wage growth moderates: Average weekly earnings increased by 3.4% year-over-year, mirroring a national trend of slowing wage growth.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Leisure & Hospitality: Added 40 jobs, primarily reflecting seasonal hiring in tourism and hospitality-related businesses.
  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities: Gained 20 jobs, driven by expansion in logistics and transportation sectors.
  • Healthcare & Social Assistance: Increased by 10 jobs, showcasing consistent demand for nurses, aides, and other medical professionals.
  • Fastest-growing occupations: Registered nurses, customer service representatives, retail salespersons, and truck drivers saw notable job gains.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Information: Lost 5 jobs, raising concerns about potential decline in this historically significant sector for Denton.
  • Manufacturing: Remained stagnant, highlighting the need for diversification in the city’s economic base.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job growth in December 2023 surpassed December 2022, which added 50 positions.
  • The unemployment rate was slightly lower in December 2023 compared to 5.2% in December 2022.
  • Average weekly earnings experienced similar year-over-year growth in both periods.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • December 2023 saw a decrease in job gains compared to November 2023, which added 80 positions.
  • The unemployment rate held steady from November 2023.
  • Average weekly earnings grew at a similar pace in December compared to November.

Future Outlook:

While the December report offers positive aspects, the reliance on seasonal hiring masks potential vulnerabilities. Continued focus on attracting and retaining businesses in diverse sectors, coupled with investments in workforce development initiatives, will be crucial for long-term economic stability and growth in Denton.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Customer Service Representatives
  3. Retail Salespersons
  4. Truck Drivers
  5. Software Developers and Application Developers
  6. Home Health Aides
  7. Physical Therapists
  8. Marketing Specialists
  9. Accountants and Auditors
  10. Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Memorial Health University Center
  2. St. Joseph’s Candler
  3. Denton Public Schools
  4. City of Denton
  5. The Home Depot
  6. Walmart
  7. Target Corporation
  8. Amazon
  9. International Paper
  10. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

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