Unemployment Grows in South Gate and Lynwood

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County increased to 10.4 percent in January, up from a revised 10.3 percent in December, the state Employment Development Department announced today.

The 10.4 percent unemployment rate was below the 11.6 percent rate in January 2012, according to the EDD.

South Gate also saw an increase in its rate of unemployment. In December 2012, South Gate registered an unemployment rate of 13 percent, which was smaller than the 13.9 percent it recorded for January 2013. 

Lynwood also saw an increase in its unemployment rate. Registering a 16.1 percent rate of unemployment in December 2012, and a 17.2 percent in January 2013. 

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in January.

California's jobless rate was 9.8 percent in January, the same as December but down from January 2012, when the rate was 11 percent, according to the EDD.

The comparable estimates for the nation were 7.9 percent in January, 7.8 percent in December and 8.3 percent a year ago.

Total nonfarm employment decreased by 81,000 jobs in Los Angeles County between December and January to reach 3.8 million. The trade, transportation and utilities sector saw the largest drop, losing 25,900 jobs.

A total of 507,000 people were unemployed in January in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of about 4.9 million.

Statewide, about 1.82 million people were out of work, up slightly from 1.81 million the previous month.

From City News Service

-Alejandro Lopez de Haro, editor of South Gate - Lynwood Patch Latino added the local figures to this report. 

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