The area’s unemployment picture continued its slow rate of improvement, according to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Henderson County’s jobless rate was 8.6 percent in April, the TWC reported, which was slightly better than the 8.8 percent reported for March.

April was the fourth consecutive month that saw an improvement in jobless figures, although the total improvement during 2010’s first quarter was less than one percent.

January was the first decline of the county’s unemployment rate since August 2009, when the rate had dropped to 8.3 percent.

In February this year, the rate dropped to 9 percent and March saw it dip back into the high 8-percent range.

This year’s jobless pic- ture remains darker than a year ago when unemployment rates ranged from 7.3 percent to 7.9 percent during the first quarter.

Two year’s ago, in 2008, rates were at or below 5 percent during the first four months of the year.

According to the report, about 260 fewer people were out-of-work county residents.

The next TWC unemployment report is expected to be released on June 18.