Research & Data

Workforce Partnership chief economist Daniel Enemark analyzes November’s labor market trends. More jobs and more workers in the labor force The job market remains hot, with 16,100 nonfarm jobs added last month. Nonetheless, the unemployment rate increased last month to

Minimal change in this month’s unemployment numbers In October, unemployment in San Diego County rose very slightly from 3.1% to 3.2% (3.15% unadjusted, 3.17% seasonally adjusted)—a difference that could completely disappear depending on how the numbers are revised in the

Workforce Partnership chief economist Daniel Enemark analyzes September’s labor market trends. Another month of extraordinarily low unemployment Unemployment edged down last month, putting San Diego at a very low 3.1%. For context, in this century—273 months so far—we’ve only had

Typically (over the last 10 years) in August, our labor force has decreased by about 8,600 people. This August, not only did we not see that typical seasonal dip, but our labor force participation actually rose: there are 10,000 more people in the labor force in August than July!

San Diego County’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.7% last month—the lowest rate this century and the second lowest rate in the 33 years in which County numbers were available. The seasonally adjusted rate was 2.9%, down from an adjusted 3.1% in April.

San Diego County’s unemployment rate in April was 3.0%. For context, 2.9% is the lowest rate recorded this century, and our rate has reached that low in only three out of 268 months. In other words, this labor market is extraordinarily tight.

Last month San Diego capped off one year of continuous declines in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate with a significant drop, from 4.0% in February down to 3.5%. The nominal rate was 3.4%, just half a percentage point above the lowest rate of the century (2.9% in May 2019).

Workforce Partnership senior economist Daniel Enemark analyzes February’s labor market trends.

The CaliBaja region features a vibrant economy that relies significantly on the cross-border movement of goods and people. It is essential that relations between the two countries with regards to the border remain positive and even be strengthened in the future. 

Seasonal trends punished December’s job numbers, but the unemployment rate managed to decline further. As 2022 progresses, “a subsidence of Omicron and the waning of government stimulus should bring more people back into the workforce,” noted Lynn Reaser. Phil Blair is also hopeful for some relief but believes that employees will have the upper hand in the job market for at least the next year or two.