Unemployment Dips To 9% In O.C., Still High Amid Pandemic

LOS ANGELES, CA — Unemployment is on the decline in Orange County, but remains nearly four times higher than pre-coronavirus levels. The region's unemployment rate dropped to 9%, down from 9.9% in August.

For reference, that number was estimated to be 2.5% in September 2019.

Numbers were higher in Los Angeles, where the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 15.1% in September. The figure was estimated to be 16.4% in August, and 4.3% in September 2019.

Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate hit an even 11% in September, down from 11.2% in August. Data shows an additional 96,000 nonfarm jobs were added in the past month.

Seven of California's 11 industry sectors reported employment gains in September. The biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality, which added 48,400 new jobs in September compared to August. Still, the sector continues to be the hardest hit compared to pre-pandemic, currently sitting at 579,300 fewer jobs than September 2019.

Jobs in construction, transportation, and business services are also on the rise. Government jobs saw the biggest drop this month, down 14,300 jobs compared to August. EDD cites Federal losses and the cutback of census worker employment as a major factor in the decline.