Unemployment at 19.4 percent in December, a 2.5 percent
increase
San Benito County’s unemployment rate jumped two-and-a-half
percent in December to close the year just under 20 percent
– more than double the national average.
In December 2010, unemployment was 19.4 percent locally, up from
16.9 percent in November and 13.6 percent in October, according to
the California Employment Development Department.
The county’s unemployment rate was 18.7 percent during the same
period in 2009.
Unemployment at 19.4 percent in December, a 2.5 percent increase
San Benito County’s unemployment rate jumped two-and-a-half percent in December to close the year just under 20 percent – more than double the national average.
In December 2010, unemployment was 19.4 percent locally, up from 16.9 percent in November and 13.6 percent in October, according to the California Employment Development Department.
The county’s unemployment rate was 18.7 percent during the same period in 2009.
The report estimates that the number of Californians holding jobs in December was down 25,000 from the previous month, but up 78,000 from the employment total in December 2009.
Nearly 2.3 million Californians were out of work last month, a jump of approximately 35,000 compared with December of last year. The leisure and hospitality sectors added the most jobs over the month, while government posted the largest decline from November to December.
Year-to-year, professional and business services jobs posted the largest increase both by numbers – 66,900 jobs – and percentage increase; 3.3 percent, in the state. Construction, trade, transportation and utilities, and government lost nearly 60,000 jobs – with construction employment hardest hit.
In related data, the EDD reported that nearly 600,000 people statewide received unemployment insurance benefits during the December survey week, nearly 193,000 fewer than at the same time in 2009.
