Coronavirus Continues To Inflate L.A. County Unemployment Rate

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - With the coronavirus devastating the economy, the unemployment rate in Los Angeles County increased to 20.9% in May, up from 20.8% the previous month, according to figures released today by the state Employment Development Department.

The 20.9% rate was well above the 4.5% rate from May 2019.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the May jobless rate was 14.5%, up from 13.8% in April.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 16.3% in May, down slightly from 16.4% in April, but well above the 4.1% rate from May 2019. The comparable estimates for the nation were 13.3% in May, 14.7% in April and 3.6% in May 2019.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 33,100 jobs between April and May to reach about 3.95 million. It was the first increase in nonfarm employment since February. The manufacturing sector led the increase by adding 15,300 jobs.

Photo: Getty Images


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