Orange County’s unemployment rate was 3.8% in August, down from a revised 3.9% in July and 4.2% a year ago, the Employment Development Department said Friday.
Total OC nonfarm employment rose by 24,000 jobs in the past 12 months for a 1.6% increase.
In the past year, the professional and business services sector posted the largest payroll growth, up 11,300 jobs. The trade, transportation and utilities sectors added 5,600 jobs during the past year, with 70% of that growth in retail.
OC shed 3,400 jobs between July and August. The largest decline was reported in the government sector, which lost 6,300 jobs. The state Employment Development Department said the decline was a product of local and state schools cutting back during summer recess.
California’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in August, with the nation’s rate pegged at 4.9%.
