While California’s unemployment rate nudged up in August, San
Benito County’s jobless rate fell nearly 1 percent between July and
August, state employment officials have announced.
While California’s unemployment rate nudged up in August, San Benito County’s jobless rate fell nearly 1 percent between July and August, state employment officials have announced.
The state’s unemployment rate increased to 12.4 percent in August from July’s 12.3 percent, Employment Development Department officials announced Friday, as statewide payrolls dropped by 33,500. The losses hit varied sectors, from construction and manufacturing to transportation and health services.
Meanwhile, San Benito County saw its jobless rates dip slightly in August, to 14.8 percent from July’s 15.6 percent, the EDD reported.
Those declines could be partly a result of job seekers shutting down their job searches, said Sacramento State economics professor Suzanne O’Keefe.
“The total number of jobs fell, and we’re seeing a decline in unemployment,” O’Keefe said. “People are getting discouraged about seeking work and are giving up on their search.”
The county’s labor force dropped by 300 jobs in August, according to the state.
Typically, fewer people seek work in August, as students end their summer job search and return to campus, Alvarado said. Another factor affecting unemployment is pink-slipped teachers getting rehired by school districts.
California has lost 113,100 jobs since August 2009, when the state’s jobless rate stood at 12.2 percent.
“The Bay Area is doing a little better than the inland areas,” said Meyers. “The Central Valley and Inland Empire have been hit much harder by the housing market.”
Meanwhile, government jobs posted the largest statewide decline over the month, shedding 9,200 jobs as U.S. census positions came to an end.
Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate remained largely unchanged in August at 9.6 percent, according to a recent report issued by federal officials.
