San Diego’s unemployment rate remained at the same 4.8 percent in August as it was in July, according to a report released Sept. 21 by the state’s Employment Development Department.
The local figure remained below that of the state’s 5.4 percent rate, but above the national unemployment rate of 4.6 percent for the same month.
The regional employment increased by a net of 2,000 jobs from July to August, bringing the total number of jobs to 1,308,500.
As has been the case for much of the year, the largest number of new jobs in the period, 2,500, was created in the accommodation and food services segment. Retail trade added 1,000 jobs.
The government sector sustained the largest decline, shedding 1,700 jobs, mainly due to cuts in state and local education because of the summer recess.
During the 12 months since August 2006, the region added a net of 9,200 jobs, up by 0.7 percent. The bulk of that growth, some 7,100 jobs, came in the leisure and hospitality sector. Government added 3,900 jobs. The largest decline came in construction, which lost a net of 5,200 jobs, the EDD said.
, Mike Allen
