As California’s unemployment rate crept upward in August, San
Benito County’s jobless numbers fell yet again, dropping below 13
percent, according to the state Employment Development
Department.
As California’s unemployment rate crept upward in August, San Benito County’s jobless numbers fell yet again, dropping below 13 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department.
San Benito’s 12.9 percent unemployment rate last month was down from 14.4 percent in July and nearly 2 percent lower than the 14.8 percent rate in August 2010.
The improving numbers locally were in contrast to the state’s 0.1 percent month-to-month increase, during which the number of non-farm payroll jobs decreased by 8,400. The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged in August at 9.1 percent.
Despite the slight jump in unemployment statewide, California has added 171,100 jobs during the past year, a 1.2 percent increase. The number of Californians holding jobs in August was approximately 15.8 million, a decrease of 18,000 in July and down 58,000 from the employment total in August of last year.
The number of people unemployed in California was 2,175,000 – up by 8,000 month-to-month but down 83,000 compared to last year.
Categories that posted job gains in the state since 2010 included mining and logging; construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; professional and business services; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality. Professional and business services posted the largest gain on a numerical basis, adding 57,700 jobs – up 2.8 percent.
Three categories – financial activities; other services; and government – posted job declines over the year, down by 38,100. Government jobs posted the largest decline on both a numerical and percentage basis.
The EDD reported that more than 543,000 people received regular unemployment insurance benefits during the August survey week, down more than 23,000 from last month and down more than 77,000 from last year.
In nearby counties, August’s unemployment rate was 9.9 percent in Santa Clara County; 10.7 percent in Monterey County; and 10.7 percent in Santa Cruz.
