California Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.5 percentage points in February 2021 to 8.5%. The state unemployment rate was 2.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in April 2020 at 16.0% and is now 7.5 percentage points lower. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.2% | -0.1 | +2.7 |
| California | 8.5% | -0.5 | +4.2 |
Note: All comparisons are made with February data as March 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 2,966,435. There are now 1,356,232 fewer people unemployed in the state. California job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,610,203 | -69,637 | +764,910 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
California Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployment Rate |
California Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2021 | 6.0% | — | — |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 8.5% | 1,610,203 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 9.0% | 1,679,840 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 9.3% | 1,748,456 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 8.7% | 1,620,723 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 9.8% | 1,854,378 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 10.6% | 1,950,055 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 12.3% | 2,301,320 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 13.2% | 2,463,494 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 14.1% | 2,652,106 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 15.6% | 2,863,209 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 16.0% | 2,966,435 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
