Poway Jobless Rate Down Almost a Point Since July 2011, State Reports

Poway’s unemployment rate in July was unchanged from June—5.5 percent, the state reported Friday. But progress is apparent in year-to-year figures.

In July 2011, 6.3 percent of Powegians were out of work, according to the state Employment Development Department.

About 1,600 Poway residents were out of work last month, the state said.

The unemployment rate in San Diego County in July was 9.2 percent, compared with 9.3 percent the previous month and well below the 10.5 percent in July 2011, the state agency said.

The July unemployment rate for California was 10.9 percent, and 8.6 percent for the entire U.S. The agency figures are not seasonally adjusted.

The report was a mixed bag for the region—with National City having the highest jobless rate at 17.7 percent in July and Valley Center the lowest at 4.5 percent.

The bad news was that despite the improvement in the unemployment rate, the region saw a loss of 4,400 nonfarm jobs, according to the agency.

The number of government positions fell by 11,300, mostly seasonal reductions of teachers.

The losses were partially offset by a gain in another seasonal sector, leisure and hospitality, which climbed by 4,200 jobs. Also, over the past year, more than 35,000 nonfarm positions have been created in San Diego County, the agency reported.

San Diego County had 149,400 unemployed people last month, 1,200 more than in June and almost 10,000 more than May.

However, the July 2012 total was around 18,000 people lower than the same period in 2011.

The local civilian labor force was more than 1.6 million people, according to the agency.

Here are figures for Patch towns in San Diego County:

—City News Service contributed to this report.