Unemployment Numbers Continue Downward Trend

The unemployment rate in San Diego dropped for the fifth month in a row in December, falling to its lowest level in more than 2.5 years.

The jobless rate dipped to 8.9 percent last month in San Diego, down from 9.2 percent in November, according to figures released Friday by the California Employment Development Department. Last year San Diego’s unemployment rate peaked in July at 10.6 percent.

The last time the unemployment rate fell below 9 percent in San Diego was in April 2009, when it reached 8.8 percent. Specific figures for La Jolla were not released.

The numbers continue to drop across the United States. San Diego County’s unemployment rate in December was 8.9 percent, down from 9.2 percent in November. The seasonally adjusted rate in California, 11.1 percent, is still higher than the nationwide rate, 8.5 percent. They both dropped .2 percent in December, according to the EDD.

Between November and December the county added 4,100 nonfarm jobs, but lost 800 agricultural jobs. Since December 2010, the county has added 26,900 nonfarm jobs while agricultural employment has remained steady, according to the EDD.

Among the employment sectors that added jobs across the county last month, professional and business services posted the biggest gain with 1,900 more jobs. Professional, scientific and technical services added 1,200 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities added 1,600 jobs; leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs; and construction added 900 jobs.

Of the four nonfarm sectors that lost jobs in December, government shed the most, down 1,300.

Across the state, the EDD estimated that 10,700 nonfarm jobs were added in December, and nonfarm payroll employment has increased by 240,300 jobs since December 2010.

The department also reported that 536,422 people received unemployment benefits last month in California, 148 more than in November. In December 2010, 599,221 people received unemployment benefits from the EDD.