The Orange County unadjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.3% last month, down from a revised 6.5% in June, and below the year-ago estimate of 12.3%. That compares to an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.9% for California and 5.7% for the U.S. during the same period.
While the local jobless rate dipped slightly, total non-farm employment in OC fell by 4,700 jobs to 1.58 million between June and July, the California Employment Development Department said today.
Government declined by 13,300 jobs in OC, the most of any sector, as schools closed for the summer recess. Payroll employment also decreased in three other sectors: educational and health services, construction and manufacturing.
The largest month-over increase was in leisure and hospitality — up 5,800 jobs — while arts, entertainment and recreation also showed strong gains, according to EDD.
