California Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest Level in 8 Years

California's unemployment rate falls to lowest level in nearly eight years

California's unemployment rate has fallen to 5.9 percent in September, the lowest it's been in nearly eight years.

The California Employment Development Department reported Friday that the state's jobless rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point, down from 6.1 percent in August, as a result of payroll gains.

The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1 percent.

The last time California's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent was back in November 2007. The agency says California added 8,200 jobs in September, following a gain of 42,000 jobs in August.

The overall number of people unemployed was down by 43,000 since August and stands at 1.1 million. That figure doesn't include Californians who have stopped looking for work, or people working part-time who would rather be working full-time.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us