SD County unemployment rate rises to 8% as 5,300 jobs lost

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The unemployment rate in San Diego County area rose to 8% in December 2021, up from 6.6% in November and well above the year-ago unemployment rate of 2.8%, according to figures released today by the state Employment Development Department.

The statewide unadjusted unemployment rate was 8.8%, up from 7.9% in November. The rate is 6.5% for the nation, up from 6.4% during the same period.

According to the EDD, total non-farm employment in San Diego County decreased by 5,300 jobs month-over-month — from 1,424,900 to 1,419,600 — while farm employment contracted from 9,200 to 8,600...