The unemployment rate in San Diego County last month was 5.1 percent, down from 5.4 percent in July and well below the 6.6 percent rate recorded a year ago, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday.
The unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent statewide and 5.2 percent nationwide. Neither figure is seasonally adjusted.
Between July and August, San Diego gained 1,700 nonfarm jobs, with agricultural employment remaining unchanged last month.
The educational and health services sectors reported the greatest gain last month, adding 1,800 jobs. Health care and social assistance also increased by 1,900 jobs last month, according to the Employment Development Department. Other sectors that added local jobs last month were: trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; and government.
More than 42,400 jobs were added over the past year, a 3.1 percent increase regionwide. Professional and business sector industries have seen the greatest growth in San Diego over the past year, adding 11,500 jobs. Jobs in the professional, scientific and technical services sectors accounted for more than 80 percent of job growth in the business sector.
