Kern's unemployment at 13.9 percent in September
| Friday, Oct 16 2009 12:25 PM
Last Updated Friday, Oct 16 2009 12:25 PM
The unemployment rate in Kern County was 13.9 percent in September, down slightly from 14.4 percent in August but above the same time last year, when the rate was 9.1 percent.
That's welcome news for one of the most battered areas of the state in terms of job losses, all the more so because economists are calling recent economic gains a "jobless recovery."
The real estate and stock markets are showing signs of progress, but employers have been reluctant to hire back laid off employees.
The county gained 1,900 jobs from August to September despite routine, seasonal job losses in agriculture. Farm jobs declined by 400 month-to-month, and by 1,400 year-over-year.
Kern lost 8,100 jobs in the last year, 6,600 of which were unrelated to farming.
Other figures of note:
* The largest gains between August and September of this year were in two categories: professional and business services, where 100 jobs were added, and manufacturing, which also saw a gain of 100 positions. But year-over-year, 900 jobs in professional and business services were shed, and 800 were lost in manufacturing.
* After farming, the biggest job losses were a three-way tie between construction; mining and logging; and trade, transportation and utilities; each of which lost 100 jobs from August to September.
Construction lost 1,700 jobs in the last year. Trade, transportation and utilities lost 1,200 jobs year-over-year. Mining and logging lost 200.
So how did Kern stack up?
* California's unemployment rate for September stood at a seasonally adjusted 12 percent. The nation's unemployment rate was 9.5 percent.
* Worst county in the state? Imperial, with a staggering unadjusted 30.1 percent jobless rate.
* Best county in the state? Marin, at 8 percent percent unemployment, unadjusted for the season.
And how did Kern's cities shake out? (unadjusted rates)
Arvin: 34.8percent
Bakersfield: 9.7 percent
California City: 10.8 percent
Delano: 34.1 percent
Maricopa: 15.2 percent
McFarland: 27.8 percent
Ridgecrest: 8 percent
Shafter: 23.9 percent
Taft: 13.4 percent
Tehachapi: 9.3 percent
Wasco: 24.9 percent
