Southern California unemployment rates slightly increase

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Los Angeles County rose to 5.9% last month, up from a revised 5.8% in September, the California Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The rate was 5.3% at this time a year ago.

Orange County’s rate also was static in September and October at 4.1%, but higher than the 3.9% recorded in October 2023.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate registered 5.4% in October, an increase from September’s 5.3% and above the 5.1% rate from a year ago.

Nationwide unemployment was 4.1% in October, the same as September and higher than the 3.8% rate from October 2023.

Nonfarm employment in LA County increased 37,600 jobs between September and October to 4.6 million. Private education and health services added the most jobs with 11,100.

Manufacturing jobs lost in the LA area totaled 1,900, and the information sector lost 1,400.

Orange County nonfarm employment increased by 11,400 jobs.

Inland Empire

The unemployment rate in the Inland Empire was 5.5% in October 2024, higher than a revised 5.4% in September, and above the year-ago estimate of 5.3%, according to the preliminary estimates by the EDD.

Modest job growth throughout the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area’s regional economy were not enough to lower the October unemployment rate in Riverside County which remained at the same level. The county’s nonseasonally adjusted rate in October was 5.6% as it was in September. A year ago Riverside County unemployment was 5.4%.

San Bernardino County’s nonseasonally adjusted rate in October was 5.3 percent, compared with 5.2% in September.

Data from both counties showed jobs increased most significantly over the month in the trade and transportation sector, with 5,500 new positions.

Job losses totaling about 1,000 occurred in the manufacturing sector.

San Diego

San Diego County’s unemployment rate edged upward in October to 4.7% from a seasonal adjusted 4.5% in September, and above the year-ago rate of 4.3%, according to the EDD.

Between September 2024 and October 2024, total nonfarm employment increased from 1,563,300 to 1,575,500, a gain of 12,200 jobs. Agricultural employment lost 100 jobs.

The government sector posted the largest month-over job gains for the second straight month with 3,800 new positions. The majority totaling 2,300 were in local government, with many of those jobs in educational services.

In October, the only industry that lost jobs was manufacturing with 1,000.

Compared with last year’s totals, nonfarm employment rose by 11,200 positions, while agricultural employment lost 400 jobs.

Private education and health services added the most job gains with 12,000, 84% of which in health care and social assistance.

Three industry sectors lost employment compared with a year ago — manufacturing’s 4,500, while professional and business services and the information sectors combined for 2,800 eliminated positions.