Unemployment in Denton County has decreased by 48 percent over five years, according to an examination of employment records from the Texas Workforce Commission.

 

In 2012, there were 27,453 people unemployed in Denton County, compared to 14,398 people now in 2016.

 

College students are saying they are experiencing the drop in unemployment with the availability of more jobs.

 

“It was super easy for me to find a job in Denton,” said University of North Texas student, Sierra Boudreaux. “Almost everyone I know finds a job if they’re searching for one.”

 

Local business managers have been experiencing the effects of the unemployment rate doing down by receiving more customers and a need to hire more people. Often college students are one of the first people to be hired at a local restaurant or shop.

 

“We predominately hire all college students,” said Robert White, manager of Beth Marie’s Ice Cream. “College students are the most readily available to work in the city of Denton and they come to us looking for jobs, which we always have room for.”

 

Since the unemployment rate has dropped, it has allowed for some businesses to expand, just like Beth Marie’s has. They’ve opened a few more locations in Denton to better serve the community.

 

 “We’ve gotten so busy the last few years that it’s allowed us to open more stores so one store isn’t so crowded”, said White. “The opening of these stores has let us hire more students who are wanting to work.”

 

In the last five years, more people, including college students are able to find jobs  than be unemployed. This could be caused by the Denton County’s boom in businesses across the board who allowed for the hire of tons of people.

 

“Since I am a college student, I needed a place that would give me good hours with good pay”, said Boudreaux. “Most places were very understanding of my schedule, just like they are with most students.”