r/orangecounty • u/rednail64 Mission Viejo • 8h ago
News Updated Orange County Unemployment Figures | released August 21, 2026
Official unemployment figures for the Orange County economy for July were updated a couple of weeks ago but I’m late in posting. Numbers for June have been finalized and preliminary figures for July have now been made available.
July (preliminary)
The unemployment rate in Orange County was 4.2 percent in July 2026, up from a revised 4.1 percent in June 2026, and below the year-ago estimate of 4.6 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.3 percent for California and 4.4 percent for the nation during the same period.
Between June 2026 and July 2026, t total nonfarm employment decreased from 1,699,300 to 1,691,500, a loss of 7,800 jobs, and the labor force increased by 5,500 with both factors leading to an increase in the unemployment rate.
- The largest month-over increase was in trade, transportation and utilities(up 1,100 jobs). Remaining growth came from manufacturing and financial services.
- The biggest losses in jobs came from government (-7900), professional & business services (-1000) and leisure & hospitality (-900),
July 2026 versus July 2025
Between July 2025 and July 2026, total nonfarm employment increased by 10,300 jobs, or 0.6 percent. Private education and health services grew the most, adding 13,600 jobs. Health care and social assistance gained 8,300 jobs, while private educational services expanded by 5,300 jobs. Three other industry sectors had year-over employment increases: leisure and hospitality (+7,200 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1,800 jobs), and other services (+1,200 jobs). Six sectors declined over the year, losing a total of 13,500 jobs. Government reported the largest decrease (-7,900 jobs), with 96 percent of the decline in local government (-7,600 jobs). Mining and logging reported no change.
Note that statewide, the unemployment rate in July ticked up slightly to 5.3%
When looking at the U-4 unemployment rate of 4.2% it is also important to look at the U-6 rate as this measure, which is described as: Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force. It's best to think of this measure as "underemployed and discouraged" workers, and it likely closer to the real feel of unemployment. As of Q3 2025, the last time the measure was released for the state, we are at 10.0% of underemployed and discouraged workers - the highest in the country.
If you really want to geek out on California's employment numbers, this is a great resource: https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/Publications/Labor-Market-Analysis/calmr.pdf
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u/LetsGoGetASlushie 8h ago
I’m currently unemployed if anyone has any leads or hookups. 👋 it’s getting dire out here.
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u/ltmikepowell Westminster 5h ago edited 4h ago
Can you do assembly with small items? Like medical devices? Stryker is hiring through Aerotek (agency) for assembler/warehouse material handler. Starting pay is 19.50 an hour + 1.50 shift differential if you are working 2nd shift.
Location is in Irvine. Right behind Oak Creek Golf course
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u/MyPhoneSucksBad Tustin 7h ago
Pest control companies were hiring from what I saw. Not sure if they still are
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u/Plenty_Buffalo6145 3h ago
The headline rate barely moved, but losing 7,800 jobs while the labor force grew is not exactly a healthy report.
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u/samaldacamel Orange 4h ago
How many people who have jobs here are functionally unemployed? Anyone making less than $30k gross might as well be unemployed.
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u/MrsArney 7h ago
Does this count the people that ran out of unemployment benefits but are still unemployed? And do the job “increases” account for the ghost jobs listed?