Kern's unemployment rises to 14.5 percent
| Friday, Nov 20 2009 10:29 AM
Last Updated Friday, Nov 20 2009 10:30 AM
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The unemployment rate in Kern County was 14.5 percent in October, up from 14 percent in September, according to figures released by the state Employment Development Department on Friday.
That's above the same time last year, when the rate was 9.6 percent.
Figures of note
* Kern lost 1,100 jobs from September to October of this year, and 9,600 year over year.
* The largest loss between September and October was in farming, where 4,000 jobs were shed. That's not unusual for this time of year. Year-over-year, 2,700 agriculture jobs were lost.
* The biggest gain from September to October was in government, which added 3,300 jobs. But that sector lost 2,300 jobs over the past year.
So how did Kern stack up?
* California's unemployment rate for October stood at 12.3 percent.
* The national unemployment rate in October was 9.5 percent.
* Worst county in the state? Imperial, with a staggering 30 percent jobless rate, unadjusted for the season.
* Best county in the state? Marin, at unadjusted 8.1 percent unemployment.
And how did Kern's cities shake out? (unadjusted rates)
Arvin: 36 percent
Bakersfield: 10.1 percent
California City: 11.3 percent
Delano: 35.2 percent
Maricopa: 15.9 percent
McFarland: 28.8 percent
Ridgecrest: 8.3 percent
Shafter: 24.8 percent
Taft: 14 percent
Tehachapi: 9.7 percent
Wasco: 25.8 percent
