California Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.4 percentage points in April 2013 to 9.0%. The state unemployment rate was 1.5 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 3.4 percentage points lower. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | April 2013 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 7.5% | -0.1 | -0.6 |
| California | 9.0% | -0.4 | -1.7 |
Note: All comparisons are made with April data as May 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 2,275,431. There are now 602,878 fewer people unemployed in the state. California job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | April 2013 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,672,553 | -76,645 | -303,743 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
California Unemployment History
| Date |
National Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2013 | 7.6% | — | — |
| April 2013 | 7.5% | 9.0% | 1,672,553 |
| March 2013 | 7.6% | 9.4% | 1,749,198 |
| February 2013 | 7.7% | 9.6% | 1,793,900 |
| January 2013 | 7.9% | 9.8% | 1,817,912 |
| December 2012 | 7.8% | 9.8% | 1,813,087 |
| November 2012 | 7.8% | 9.9% | 1,834,172 |
| October 2012 | 7.9% | 10.1% | 1,861,618 |
| September 2012 | 7.8% | 10.2% | 1,893,647 |
| August 2012 | 8.1% | 10.4% | 1,925,363 |
| July 2012 | 8.2% | 10.6% | 1,950,370 |
| June 2012 | 8.2% | 10.6% | 1,965,211 |
| May 2012 | 8.2% | 10.7% | 1,972,251 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
