San Diego, CA — According to the latest figures from the state Employment Development Department released on Friday, San Diego County’s unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in July. This marks a rise from the adjusted 4.5% in May and surpasses the 4% rate recorded last year.
During the same period, California’s unadjusted unemployment rate was 5.8%, while the national average stood at 4.5%.
From June to July 2024, nonfarm employment in the county fell by 12,200 jobs, from 1,569,600 to 1,557,400. Agricultural jobs decreased by 100.
The government sector experienced the largest month-over-month job loss, shedding 15,200 positions, with nearly 90% of this decline attributed to local government due to the summer break. State government lost 1,800 jobs, whereas federal employment saw a modest increase of 100 positions.
In addition, private education and health services lost 600 jobs, with both sub-sectors contributing to this decline. Other sectors, including other services and information, saw a combined reduction of 400 jobs.
Conversely, five sectors recorded employment gains, with a total increase of 4,000 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector saw the most significant boost, adding 1,900 jobs. Financial activities and professional and business services each grew by 700 jobs, while construction increased by 400 jobs and trade, transportation, and utilities rose by 300 jobs.
Comparing July 2023 to July 2024, nonfarm employment grew by 13,500 jobs, and agricultural employment increased by 300 positions.
Private education and health services led the growth, adding 12,900 jobs. Five other sectors contributed to a combined increase of 10,900 jobs, with the government sector alone adding 5,500 jobs. The remaining 5,400 jobs were spread across leisure and hospitality, construction, other services, and mining and logging.
Over the past year, five sectors experienced a total loss of 10,300 jobs. Professional and business services saw the largest drop with 4,500 jobs, followed by manufacturing with a decrease of 3,700, information with a loss of 1,300, financial activities with 600 fewer jobs, and trade, transportation, and utilities with a decrease of 200 jobs.