Economic Indicators of the College Station-Bryan MSA, August 2020

Abstract

After rising somewhat in the second half of July, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. have resumed a steady decline, dropping below one million for the week ending on August 8, the lowest level recorded since the week ending on March 14. Initial claims in Texas and in the College Station-Bryan MSA have declined since the first week of July. The local June unemployment rate of 5.9% was the second-lowest among Texas metro areas. For the first half of 2020, hotel receipts in Brazos County were 50% of the receipts for the same period in 2019. Inflation adjusted taxable sales in the College Station-Bryan MSA for the first half of 2020 were down 4.1% compared to the first half of 2019. Air travel nationally and locally has increased since April. The number of travelers out of Easterwood Airport in July 2020 were 35% of the number in July 2019. The Business-Cycle Index increased 5.8% from May to June.