L.A. County Unemployment Rate Drops to 9.5 Percent

The number is down nearly a percentage point from October.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County decreased to 9.5 percent in November, down from a revised 9.7 percent in October, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday.
The 9.5 percent unemployment rate was below the 10.4 percent rate in November 2012, according to the EDD.
In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 5.6 percent.
California's jobless rate was 8.5 percent in November, down from 8.7 percent in October and below the 9.9 percent rate in November 2012, according to the EDD.
The comparable estimates for the nation were 7 percent in November, 7.3 percent in October and 7.8 percent a year ago.
Total nonfarm employment increased by 32,600 jobs in Los Angeles County between October and November to reach nearly 4 million. The trade, transportation and utilities sector accounted for more than 69 percent of the increase, adding 22,600 jobs, according to the EDD.
A total of 475,000 people were unemployed in November in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of nearly 5 million. Statewide, 1.6 million people were unemployed, down slightly from October.
— City News Service