California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2020 to 3.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in March 2010 at 12.3% and is now 8.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in August 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
California	3.9%	0.0	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February 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 October 2010 at 2,253,816. There are now 1,500,516 fewer people unemployed in the state. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	753,300	-1,416	-78,574

Number of Unemployed Persons

California Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	California Unemployment Rate	California Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	3.9%	753,300
December 2019	3.5%	3.9%	754,716
November 2019	3.5%	3.9%	753,741
October 2019	3.6%	3.9%	753,978
September 2019	3.5%	3.9%	757,881
August 2019	3.7%	3.9%	763,836
July 2019	3.7%	4.0%	771,612
June 2019	3.7%	4.0%	780,966
May 2019	3.6%	4.1%	792,799
April 2019	3.6%	4.2%	806,461
March 2019	3.8%	4.2%	818,949