San Diego County’s unemployment rate in October was 4.8 percent, unadjusted for seasonal trends, up slightly from the previous month when it was 4.7 percent.
The California Employment Development Department said the rate was below its year-ago estimate of 5.1 percent.
Statewide the unemployment rate in October was 5.3 percent, according to the EDD; nationwide, it was estimated at 4.7 percent.
Nonfarm employment in San Diego County rose by 8,900 jobs from about 1.42 million jobs to about 1.43 million jobs in October while agricultural jobs dropped by 300, or 3.3 percent, from 9,100 to 8,800, the EDD said.
Month over month in San Diego County the largest increase was in government jobs, which added 6,700 positions.
Retail trade added 2,500 jobs; education and health services, 2,400; trade, transportation and utilities, 2,000. Construction, financial activities and other services also recorded gains.
The sector with the most significant decrease was leisure and hospitality, which lost 5,300 jobs as the summer tourist season came to a close, the EDD said. The manufacturing and professional and business services sectors also recorded job losses, down 200 jobs and 400 jobs, respectively.
Year over year, nonfarm employment went up by 2.1 percent, adding 29,500 jobs. Employment in agriculture over that year shrunk by 400 jobs, or 4.3 percent.
The sector that added the most jobs year over year was educational and health services, which grew by 6,400 jobs. All sectors recorded jobs growth year over year except manufacturing, which maintained 105,500 jobs.
