County Unemployment Rate Dips Below 6 Percent

The unemployment rate in November, based on preliminary estimates, was 6.2 percent, compared to 6.5 percent in October, according to the California Employment Development Department.

According to figures, the countywide civilian labor force numbered 1,031,500, with 64,300 people out of work in November.

Meanwhile, employers in the county added 22,000 jobs last month as total payroll employment swelled to almost 4.4 million.

The unemployment rate was the fifth-highest among states, and remained above the nation’s 5 percent rate. Nationwide, the economy generated a robust 211,000 jobs last month and the US unemployment rate at a 7-year low.

Looking over the longer term, employers added 73,000 jobs between November of a year ago and this November, for a growth rate of 1.7 percent. Accommodation/food services gained 17,000 jobs, followed by professional/business services with 16,000 additional jobs.

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 9,900 over the month, from a revised 5,427,100 in October to 5,437,000 in November 2015. Employment gains in leisure and hospitality (+6,000), professional and business services (+2,800), other services (+1,000), information (+300), and financial activities (+200) surpassed losses in trade, transportation, and utilities (-5,700) and educational and health services (-900).

Five categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality) added jobs over the month, gaining 20,500 jobs.

The jobless rate for the county is at one of its lowest levels since before the Great Recession, just short of the 5.3 percent mark it dipped to in September, the data revealed. Once adjusted for this seasonal effect, November’s payroll employment in the county actually dropped a bit, with 1,700 fewer jobs than October. Mining and logging posted the largest declines on a percentage basis, decreasing 9.3 percent (down 2,900 jobs).