LOCAL : O.C. Jobless Rate Rises to 3.2%
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.
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