Imperial County Unemployment Rate Surpasses 20 Percent Mark

By Erik Anderson / Environment Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 17, 2007 at 2:13 PM PDT

San Diego's unemployment rate jumped two tenths of a percent last month. The State Labor Department says the leisure and hospitality industry showed the largest job gains in July. Government and educa

San Diego's unemployment rate jumped two tenths of a percent last month. The State Labor Department says the leisure and hospitality industry showed the largest job gains in July. Government and education lost the most jobs.

San Diego's jobless rate is now 4.8 percent, just a tenth of a percent below the national average.

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The Labor Department's Barbara Ruel says the jobless numbers contain mixed news.

Ruel : San Diego County lost 7,900 jobs from last month, but added 13,800 from the same time last year.

Ruel says the jobless rate typically jumps in July and then falls back down in August. The unemployment rate in Imperial County hit a three year high: just over 20 percent.