Permian Basin unemployment numbers above state average Midland County sits at 7.7% unemployment, while Ector County sits at 11%. The state average is 6.9%. Author: Jonathan Polasek (News West9) Published: 11:12 PM CDT April 28, 2021 Updated: 11:12 PM CDT April 28, 2021 MIDLAND, Texas — Unemployment continues to be a problem in the state of Texas. In fact, the most recent unemployment numbers for March show the average rate across Texas to be at 6.9%. In Midland County and Ector County, it's even worse. Midland County sits at 7.7%, while Ector County sits at 11%. That is thousands of jobs lost in west Texas because of COVID-19. These are opportunities that still haven't really returned, and there is a reason for that.