Orange County’s unadjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.9% in October from a revised 2.8% in September and down from year-ago estimate of 3.2%, according to the state Employment Development Department.
California’s unemployment rate was 4%, and the U.S.’s was 3.5%. The most recent October numbers for the county, state and U.S. aren’t seasonally adjusted. Orange County’s lowest-ever unemployment rate was 2.2% in December 1999.
OC nonfarm employment increased by 14,800 jobs month-over-month to 1.65 million.
Six of 11 sectors reported increases. The biggest was a 7,600 increase in the government sector led by a 5,900 increase in local government jobs. Professional and business services added 4,300 jobs, mostly in professional, scientific and technical services, which were up 2,800.
Leisure and hospitality fell the most, losing 900 jobs.
About 17.2 million people were working in California outside of agriculture in October, up about 36,400 from September and 308,700 from a year earlier.
Statewide, seven of 11 industry sectors added jobs month-over-month, led by professional and business services, which climbed 19,100 jobs, followed by manufacturing, up 6,600 jobs, and information and government, which each rose by 5,600 jobs.
People receiving unemployment benefits fell from 284,790 in September to 272,542 in October. A year earlier, the number was 299,272.
