Jobless Rate Rises, Showing San Diego Mired in Recession

San Diego County’s unemployment rate rose slightly in October to 7.8% of the work force, further evidence that the region remains mired in the recession.

San Diego’s employment base has been hit hard by layoffs in defense, construction and retailing, according to a monthly survey by the state Employment Development Department.

The rate was 7.7% in September and 6.2% in October, 1991.

Joblessness in San Diego County has been rising for nearly three years. From 3.8% in January, 1990, local unemployment rose to 6.3% in January, 1991, and to 7.1% last May. The rate has hovered above 7% ever since.

Total non-agricultural, salaried jobs in the county totaled 962,300 in October, down 20,000 from the countywide employment base in October, 1991.

Manufacturing jobs in the county were down to 122,600 in October, 12,400 less than October, 1991. Retail and wholesale jobs were down 5,500 positions from October, 1991. There were 4,200 fewer construction jobs than a year ago.

Government jobs, on the other hand, were up by 1,800 positions in October, contrasted with the previous year and service sector jobs also showed a slight gain.

San Diego’s unemployment rate is lower than the state’s as a whole but higher than the U.S. rate. California’s unemployment in October was 9.3%, up from 7.3% in October, 1991. U.S. unemployment was 6.8% in October, up from 6.4% in October, 1991.