Unemployment Rate in Southland Drops to 5.8 Percent

LOS ANGELES, CA - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County was 5.8 percent in January, down from a revised 6 percent in December, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The 5.8 percent rate was well below the unemployment rate of 7.6 percent a year ago.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for California was 5.7 percent in January, compared to 5.9 percent in December and 6.8 percent in January 2015.

Nationwide, the seasonably adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in January, 5 percent in December and 5.7 percent in January 2015.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County decreased by 87,900 to 4,284,900 between December and January.

However, between January 2015 and January 2016, nonfarm employment increased by 93,300, the EDD reported.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock