Unemployment Rates in LA and Orange Counties Go Down, Go Up

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County dropped to 6.1 percent in October, down from a revised 6.5 percent the previous month, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The 6.1 percent rate was well below the 8 percent rate from October 2014.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, up slightly from 4 percent in September.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for California was 5.8 percent in October, down from 5.9 percent in September and below the 7.2 percent rate in October 2014. The comparable estimates for the nation were 5 percent in October, 5.1 percent in September and 5.7 percent a year ago.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment increased in Los Angeles County by 37,800 jobs between September and October to reach more than 4.3 million. The government sector showed the largest month-over-month gain, adding 16,700 jobs.

About 306,000 people were unemployed in October in Los Angeles County, which has a workforce of about 5 million.

City News Service