O.C. Unemployment Dips to 9 Percent

Approximately 9 percent of the Orange County workforce was out of work in August, according to data released Friday by the California Employment Development Department.

That's an improvement from a revised 9.3 percent for July, and significantly below the year-ago estimate of 9.8 percent. The estimates are unadjusted for seasonal fluctuations.

Countywide, 4,600 jobs were lost in the month. However, the county has picked up 11,700 non-farm jobs since August 2010.

Although Orange County lost jobs in August, the county is putting up better numbers than at the same time in 2010.

The unadjusted unemployment rate statewide in the same period was 11.9 percent; nationally, the estimate shows a 9.1 percent rate.

Government jobs in Orange County took the biggest hit between July and August, dropping 2,900 positions—more than half of the total non-farm jobs lost.

"Employment cutbacks were primarily concentrated in local government education due to the summer recess in classes," the employment department wrote in a press release.

Financial activities payroll employment fell by 1,200 jobs overall.

Other sectors that were hit:

• Other services: 1,000 jobs lost
• Leisure and hospitality: 800 jobs lost
• Construction: 700 jobs lost
• Educational and health services: 500 jobs lost
• Information: 100 jobs lost

Manufacturing, on the other hand, got a boost in August, with the largest month-over-month employment increase. The sector added 1,600 jobs overall.

In August, Orange County recorded the sixth-lowest rate of unemployment in the state.