Jobless rate ends summer lower in Riverside County

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Payroll gains overcame losses at the end of summer throughout the regional economy, pushing the unemployment rate down slightly in Riverside County, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

Statewide labor market figures for September were finally released Friday, following a two-month delay stemming from the federal government shutdown, which impacted all data collection and publication by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in turn affecting EDD's publication schedule.

The belatedly released figures indicated that the countywide jobless rate in September, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 6.1%, compared to 6.3% in August.

According to figures, the September rate was roughly half a percentage point higher than September 2024, when countywide unemployment stood at 5.5%.   

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties -- the Inland Empire -- was 5.9%, down from 6.1% in August, the EDD said.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded by the widest margin in the public sector, where an estimated 7,000 positions were added, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff in area school systems returned from summer hiatus.

Additional gains were recorded in the agricultural and health services sectors, which grew by 3,100 positions, according to figures.   

Payrolls contracted by the largest amount in the construction sector, where cuts numbered about 1,500 in September. The financial services, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, professional business services and transportation sectors altogether shed 3,100 positions, EDD said.

Miscellaneous unclassified industries showed a loss of another 300 jobs.   

The mining sector was unchanged.   

The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.6%.