San Benito County’s ever-fluctuating unemployment rate hit 19.4
percent in December, according to the latest figures from the
state.
San Benito County’s ever-fluctuating unemployment rate hit 19.4 percent in December, according to the latest figures from the state.
The numbers, not seasonally adjusted during a slow time for agriculture, show that the San Benito County jobless rate increased from 16.9 percent in November. It also was down by 1.6 percent compared with the prior year.
The monthly figures from the California Employment Development Department note how an estimate of 5,200 residents were out of work in a workforce of 26,600 – equating to the 19.4 percent rate.
Statewide, the jobless rate increased from 9.4 percent to 12.5 percent. There were nearly 2.3 million people unemployed, according to the EDD. In a year over year comparison, though, nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 87,500 jobs, according to the state.
Other counties with higher jobless rates were Colusa at 25.2 percent, Imperial at 28.3 percent, Merced at 20.1 percent, Plumas at 21 percent, Sutter at 21.5 percent, Trinity at 20.5 percent. Yuba County also had a 19.4 percent rate, while nearby counties Monterey had a 10.6 percent rate and Santa Cruz had a 13.8 percent figure.
