Unemployment Numbers in Santa Barbara County For July 2010
EDD Reports 9.2% Rate, 700 Additional Job Losses From June to July
Santa Barbara County’s unemployment numbers have increased with approximately 700 additional job losses reported from June 2010 to July 2010, and the County’s overall average estimated unemployment rate now stands at 9.2 percent, according to figures released August 20, by the state Employment Development Department (EDD). Santa Barbara County continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates among California’s 58 counties and is ranked second lowest behind Marin County’s 8.6-percent rate.
The state EDD report indicated Santa Barbara County has a total of 203,900 people employed out of an available labor force of 224,500 people, with approximately 20,600 unemployed. The 9.2 percent rate for July 2010 is up .5 percent from the revised 8.7 percent rate in June 2010, and is up .7 percent from the 8.5 percent rate reported for July 2009. California’s statewide average unemployment rate is 12.8 percent while the national average is 9.7 percent for the same reporting period, according to the EDD.
[California EDD simultaneously releases two (2) types of unemployment figures (percentages): “seasonally adjusted” rates AND “not seasonally adjusted” or more commonly known as “unadjusted.” According to EDD officials, The seasonally adjusted rate for California (statewide) remained unchanged at 12.3% for July 2010 data. The Not Seasonally adjusted California rate for July 2010 data is 12.8%. ]
“We continue to see the affects of a very sluggish economy that is struggling through one of the worst recessions ever faced by our country,” Santa Barbara County Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Raymond L. McDonald said. “Our unemployment numbers might be among the lowest in California, but we still have thousands of people unemployed who need help and need it now. The Workforce Investment Board recognizes the need and is working with the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors to help get people back to work.”
Locally, the highest unemployment rates for Santa Barbara County cities were Lompoc at 16 percent; Guadalupe at 15.5 percent; and Santa Maria at 14.2 percent. State officials reported Vandenberg Air Force Base’s unemployment rate at 14.5 percent. County cities with the lowest unemployment rate were Solvang at 3.5 percent; Carpinteria and Goleta, both at 4.6 percent; and Santa Barbara at 6.5 percent.
The Workforce Investment Board, is dedicated to serving the workforce needs of businesses, adults, laid-off workers and youth throughout Santa Barbara County. The WIB is a public/private partnership created by the Federal Workforce Investment Act (PDF) and is staffed by the County of Santa Barbara.
Job seekers and employers can take advantage of free services at two Workforce Resource Centers (“One-Stops”) to help find work or new employees. Programs include employment services for job seekers, the latest labor market information and regional workforce research for businesses, as well as training that specialize in helping people gain the skills and confidence necessary to find and obtain a job. The One-Stop Shops are at 1410 S. Broadway in Santa Maria, (805) 614-1550, and 130 E. Ortega Street in Santa Barbara, (805) 568-1296. Online information is available here
For more information may be found at Workforce Investment Board or to Santa Barbara County Profile.
