LOCAL : O.C. Jobless Rate Rises to 3.2%
- Share via
Led by seasonal declines in tourism, retailing and construction employment, Orange County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in September from 2.9% in August, the state Employment Development Department said today.
Despite the increase, the county’s rate remains below the 4% mark economists use to define full employment. It also was the third lowest jobless rate in the state, trailing behind the Northern California counties of Marin, with a 2.5% rate, and San Mateo, with a 2.7% rate.
The state department said total estimated employment in the county in September hit 1,337,200, up 2.6% from 1,303,500 a year ago for an annual gain of 33,700 jobs. The estimated number of unemployed Orange County residents rose in September to 44,500 from 39,800 in August.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
