California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California rose 0.1 percentage points in January 2019 to 4.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 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 8.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.1% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.0%	+0.1	-0.1
California	4.2%	+0.1	-0.2

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 1,436,177 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 796,927 in September 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 20,712. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	817,639	+15,045	-24,789

Number of Unemployed Persons

California Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	California Unemployment Rate	California Unemployed
February 2019	3.8%	—	—
January 2019	4.0%	4.2%	817,639
December 2018	3.9%	4.1%	802,594
November 2018	3.7%	4.1%	801,461
October 2018	3.8%	4.1%	798,652
September 2018	3.7%	4.1%	796,927
August 2018	3.8%	4.1%	797,849
July 2018	3.9%	4.1%	802,494
June 2018	4.0%	4.2%	810,339
May 2018	3.8%	4.2%	819,081
April 2018	3.9%	4.3%	826,994
March 2018	4.0%	4.3%	833,340