Henderson County's jobless rate topped 8 percent for the fourth consecutive month, according to a report by the Texas Workforce Commision.

The most recent jobless rate - 8.5 percent - was for September.

That followed a slide from the 8.2 percent recorded for August. July's rate was 8.4 percent and June's number came in at 8.2 percent.

While unemployment reports typically show weaker numbers for the summer months because of seasonal layoffs (months going into a holiday season are traditionally better), the July, August and September results in 2009 are significantly worse than those recorded for the same months in the previous two years for this area.

In 2008, Henderson County saw a 5.5 percent jobless rate in September and 5.6 percent figures for August and July.

In 2007, the area's numbers were even better. In September two years ago, the rate was at 4.6 percent. In Augutst it was 4.5 percent and July saw a 4.8-percent jobless rate.

The latest report listed an estimated 3,076 Henderson County residents without a job in September 2009. That compares to 1,962 unemployed workers in September 2008 and 1,578 unemployed workers in September 2007.

The total labor pool has grown from 34,290 employable workers in September 2007 to 36,673 in September this year, according to figures. Statesman graphic by Loyd Cook