EDD announces unemployment rates for San Diego County

SAN DIEGO - The unemployment rate in San Diego County was 8.6 percent in January, up from a revised 8.2 percent in December, but below the 9.5 percent figure from January 2012, the state Employment Development Department announced today.

That compares with unemployment rates of 10.4 percent in California and 8.5 percent nationwide during the same period. Those figures are not seasonally adjusted.

The region lost around 22,000 jobs between December 2012 and January 2013, according to the EDD.

The biggest job losses in over the month came in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which was down 9,400 jobs. About 80 percent of the sector's seasonal losses were in retail trade, mostly from general merchandise, clothing and clothing accessories stores.

Seven other sectors reported losses over the month, including leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services and education and health services, according to the EDD.

A gain of 300 positions was recorded in the financial activities sector and agricultural employment gained 200 jobs.

The agency reported that 137,200 San Diego County residents were jobless in January, out of a civilian labor force of more than 1.6 million people.