California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.1 percentage points in July 2019 to 4.1%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 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 8.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.1% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
California	4.1%	-0.1	0.0

Note: All comparisons are made with July data as August 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 1,450,059 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 796,927 in September 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 6,830. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	803,757	-10,498	+1,263

Number of Unemployed Persons

California Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	California Unemployment Rate	California Unemployed
August 2019	3.7%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	4.1%	803,757
June 2019	3.7%	4.2%	814,255
May 2019	3.6%	4.2%	826,066
April 2019	3.6%	4.3%	835,862
March 2019	3.8%	4.3%	838,348
February 2019	3.8%	4.2%	824,179
January 2019	4.0%	4.2%	817,707
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