S.D. Jobless Rate Hits 4-Year High as Recession Spreads

SAN DIEGO —  The unemployment rate in San Diego County jumped to 5.4% in November, the area’s highest rate of joblessness in nearly four years.

The November rate, an increase from the 4.7% unemployment figure in October and the highest level locally since the 5.5% rate in January, 1987, is another sign that the resilient San Diego County economy is feeling the effects of the nationwide recession. Last year, the local unemployment rate was 3.5%.

Another ominous sign for the local economy was that job growth has slowed significantly. According to state Employment Development Department figures, jobs in the county totaled 1.12 million, an increase of only 16,000 jobs, or 1.6% from the total in November, 1989.

That compares with an average of 47,000 new jobs created annually during the six-year period ended in 1989, when total jobs in the county increased by as much as 5% annually, EDD labor market analyst Jack Nowell said Friday. For all of 1990, the local unemployment rate is expected to average 4.4%, up from 3.9% in 1989. That would mean the first year-to-year increase in unemployment in the county since 1982. The Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce research staff projects that local unemployment will rise to 5.3% for all of 1991.

Despite the jump in local unemployment, jobs are still generally more plentiful in San Diego County than in other parts of the state and nation. California unemployment was 6.5% in November, and the U.S. jobless rate was 5.8%.

Despite the marginal growth in jobs in the county, certain key job sectors showed declines. As of November, 61,700 were employed in the construction industry, down from 65,200 in September, 1989.

There were 133,400 manufacturing employees in San Diego County, down from 136,400 in November, 1989. Civilian employees of the military also declined to 23,500 in November, from 24,100 employees the previous year.