Unemployment Numbers Hold at 9.6 Percent

Santa Barbara’s March unemployment numbers held steady at 9.6 percent, slightly higher than the national average of 9.2 and well below California’s 12.3 percent rate. Lompoc, Guadalupe, and Santa Maria’s unemployment numbers—16.7, 16.2 and 14.9, respectively—were the highest in the county, while other cities’ unemployment rates fell below the county average. Sectors adding the most jobs included business and professional services (1,200) and leisure and hospitality (1,100). The number of government workers dropped by 900. The trade, transportation, and utilities sectors also slashed 400 jobs.