YOUR AD HERE »

California unemployment rate dips to 11.9 percent

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California’s unemployment rate dipped slightly to 11.9 percent in September but has not moved significantly from where it has been through most of the recession, the state reported Friday.

California added a total of 11,800 nonfarm jobs. The gains were led by the construction, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality sectors. Government, education and health care posted declines, according to the Employment Development Department.

The September number was down from 12.1 percent in August and from 12.5 percent during the year-ago period.



A federal survey of households showed an increase in the number of people employed. It estimates 15.9 million Californians held jobs in September, an increase of 85,000 from August.

A separate survey of businesses showed nonfarm jobs in the state totaled 14.1 million in September. California reported 2.1 million people without jobs, roughly the same as the previous month.



The number of people receiving unemployment benefits also dipped. The state reported 494,882 people received benefits in September, down from 543,089 in August.

New claims also were slightly lower.

California continues to have the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, behind Nevada’s 13.4 percent. The national rate is 9.1 percent.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.