Amarillo Jobs Shift While Housing Construction Booms Locally

Amarillo recorded a decrease of 223 workers employed in May compared with the previous year, while the wider Panhandle region added 750 jobs, according to economic analysis from Amarillo National Bank. The increase in the broader region stems largely from data center construction projects.

Employment and Unemployment Trends

The local unemployment rate rose 0.4 percent to 3.5 percent. Changes at Tyson Foods contributed to the increase, yet the rate stays below the Texas state average. These figures come from data compiled by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Amarillo anchors a regional trade area of more than 500,000 residents. Its economy draws strength from energy, food processing, logistics and renewable energy sectors, as noted in reports from Amarillo National Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Retail Sales and Consumer Activity

Retail sales rose 18 percent over the past 12 months, with year-to-date sales up 11 percent. The gains point to solid consumer activity even with some softening in auto sales. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks these retail metrics for the Amarillo metropolitan statistical area.

Housing Market and Construction Activity

Building permits increased 118 percent year-over-year and home starts rose 94 percent. Median home prices moved up 4 percent during the same period. These housing indicators appear in the Amarillo Economic Pulse report issued by Amarillo National Bank.

The combination of employment data, retail figures and housing numbers reflects ongoing activity across multiple sectors. Local sources such as the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and Amarillo National Bank continue to track these measures on a regular basis.

Further updates on employment, retail and housing will depend on the release of additional monthly and quarterly data from the same agencies and institutions already reporting on the Amarillo area.