Los Angeles County Unemployment Rate Climbs To 13 Percent

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County edged up to 13 percent in December, up from a revised 12.8 percent in November, the state Economic Development Department reported Friday.

Despite the end of the recession in summer of 2009, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, unemployment in Los Angeles County was much higher in 2010 than in 2009, when it was 12.3 percent.

Loree Levy with the state Employment Development Department tells KNX 1070 says despite the bad news, there is a silver lining.

Orange County is doing a little better at 8.9 percent, below the 9.3 percent rate in November.

California's jobless rate was 12.5 percent in December, up from 12.4 percent in November and above the 12.3 rate from December 2009, according to the EDD.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 4,400 jobs in Los Angeles County between November and December to reach nearly 3.8 million.

The largest increases were in the trade, transportation and utilities sectors, which added 3,800 jobs.

A total of 635,000 people were unemployed in December in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of nearly 4.9 million.

Statewide, 2.27 million people were out of work, up from 2.26 million in November.

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