California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California rose 0.1 percentage points in March 2012 to 11.0%. The state unemployment rate was 2.8 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in February 2010 at 12.4% and is now 1.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 10.9% in January 2012, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	March 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.2%	-0.1	-0.7
California	11.0%	+0.1	-0.9

Note: All comparisons are made with March data as April state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: California, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

California Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in California peaked in September 2010 at 2,272,943. There are now 241,565 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 2,012,350 in February 2012, the number of unemployed has now grown by 19,028. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	March 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	2,031,378	+19,028	-147,854

Number of Unemployed Persons

California Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	California Unemployment Rate	California Unemployed
April 2012	8.1%	—	—
March 2012	8.2%	11.0%	2,031,378
February 2012	8.3%	10.9%	2,012,350
January 2012	8.3%	10.9%	2,019,491
December 2011	8.5%	11.2%	2,060,109
November 2011	8.7%	11.3%	2,089,833
October 2011	8.9%	11.5%	2,121,540
September 2011	9.0%	11.7%	2,153,005
August 2011	9.1%	11.9%	2,177,981
July 2011	9.1%	11.9%	2,189,569
June 2011	9.1%	11.9%	2,186,558
May 2011	9.0%	11.9%	2,176,060
April 2011	9.0%	11.8%	2,170,982