Business & Tech

County Unemployment Rate Inches Up In July

County unemployment rate, highest in Bay Area, grows in July, but many job losses were normal for this time of year

Unemployment in Solano County inched up in July, the state's Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The unemployment rate went up from 12.0 percent in June to 12.2 percent in July, the latest figures released by the state.

Solano County’s unemployment rate is just above the statewide rate, which also rose. The unemployment rate in California rose from 11.8 percent in June to 12 percent in July despite a rise in total jobs since the beginning of 2011, the EDD said.

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However, the national unemployment rate decreased in July, falling
to 9.1 percent.

Marin County had the lowest rate in the Bay Area at 8.1 percent while Solano County had the highest.

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Linda Wong, North Bay Labor Market Consultant for the EDD, said the bulk of the jobs lost between June and July were in the government sector, and most of those likely classified staff workers at schools who often don’t seek work in the summertime.

In other words, much of the job losses were normal for this time of year, but that only counted for an estimated 500 jobs out of 800 lost in the government sector.

EDD estimates unemployment rates by city, however those estimates are not nearly as accurate as the estimates for the county, because they are pro-rated by population on 2000 U.S. Census figures.  

People receiving unemployment benefits began receiving an EDD Debit Card instead of a check in July to make the process more convenient and secure the payment process, the department said.

The transition, which began on July 8, will occur over the next few months and customers will be notified by mail the week they are switched from check to card, according to the department.

-Bay City News Service contributed to this report.


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