California Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.8 percentage points in November 2020 to 8.2%. The state unemployment rate was 1.5 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in April 2020 at 16.4% and is now 8.2 percentage points lower. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | November 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.7% | -0.2 | +3.1 |
| California | 8.2% | -0.8 | +4.3 |
Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December 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 April 2020 at 3,043,334. There are now 1,501,217 fewer people unemployed in the state. California job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | November 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,542,117 | -186,018 | +788,376 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
California Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2020 | 6.7% | — | — |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 8.2% | 1,542,117 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 9.0% | 1,728,135 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 11.1% | 2,065,840 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 11.2% | 2,086,688 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 13.5% | 2,543,255 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 14.9% | 2,830,936 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 16.4% | 3,043,056 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 16.4% | 3,043,334 |
| March 2020 | 4.4% | 5.5% | 1,052,163 |
| February 2020 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 759,328 |
| January 2020 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 753,269 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
