Unemployment rate remained unchanged in San Diego, despite rising statewide

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Unemployment continues to be a problem across California, including in San Diego County, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Data shows that as of February 2024, the unemployment rate statewide has risen to 5.3% from 5.2% the month before. The unemployment rate was 5.1% from October through December.

Locally, the unemployment rate in San Diego County was 4.7% in January, according to the latest available BLS data. It was 4.3% in December.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported San Diego’s unemployment rate in February remained unchanged at 4.7%, with 76,100 people unemployed.

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According to preliminary numbers from the BLS, about 75,821 people in San Diego County were unemployed in January. That’s compared to 68,205 people who were unemployed the month before.

Some industries in San Diego County saw a dip in their percentage changes from February of last year, namely manufacturing (-2.8%); trade, transportation and utilities (-0.2%); information (-5.4%); financial activities (-2.9%), and professional and business services (-3.2%).

Despite the rising unemployment rate, a few industries reported slight positive changes from the same month last year.

These industries included education and health services (6.3%), leisure and hospitality (3.1%), government (2.3%), other services (2.3%) and construction (1.5%).

However, the number of Americans signing up for unemployment benefits nationwide fell slightly last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, indicating that the job market across the nation seems to be trending in a positive direction.

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