The unemployment rate in Orange County was 3.8% in December, down from a revised 4% the month before, and unchanged from the year-ago estimate.
That compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.2% for California and 3.8% for the nation during the same period.
Between November and December, total non-farm employment decreased by 3,300 jobs to 1.72 million.
Government employment decreased by 2,600 jobs, the most of any sector, with all the losses at the local government level.
The largest increase was in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, up 1,800 jobs.
