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Unemployment rates in Long Beach and Los Angeles counties rose in May, according to data released Friday by the California Department of Employment Development.
After two consecutive months of declines — from 5.2% unemployment in February to 4.6% in April — the city’s unemployment rate rose to 4.9% last month. The labor force in Long Beach contracted by 1,100 people to 229,800.
The number of employed Long Beach residents fell by 1,700 in the month, while the number of unemployed residents rose from 10,500 to 11,200.
The county as a whole followed the same trend, with the unemployment rate rising from 4.3% to 4.5%. The workforce fell by 21,400 residents to 4,969,400.
Countywide, the number of employed residents decreased by 36,800 to 4,728,500, while the number of unemployed residents increased by 15,400 to 240,900.
Entertainment and hospitality led all sectors in month-over-month job gains in LA County, adding 11,600 jobs—mostly in lodging and food services, the EDD said. Government, private education and health services, other services, construction and financial activities all added jobs.
The data also saw the biggest job losses, reporting 4,300 jobs lost – all due to the motion picture and sound recording writers’ strike. Losses were recorded in manufacturing, trading, shipping and utilities, and professional business services.
Of the 134 cities and towns in LA County, 82, or 66%, have a lower unemployment rate than Long Beach, according to EDD data. Six areas—Altadena, Covina, Montebello, Paramount, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates—are the same size.
The state’s overall unemployment rate also rose, rising from 4.3% in April to 4.5% last month, according to the EDD.
“Despite the workers’ strike and recent tech industry headlines, overall, California employers continue to expand payrolls,” said Beacon Economics Research Manager Tanner Osman. “In the first five months of this year, the state’s economy added more than 250,000 jobs, at a time when many predicted we would be heading into a recession. Plus, we’re not yet into the seasonally strong season of the year.
Statewide, health care saw wage increases of 15,300 positions, followed by professional, scientific and technical services with 11,600 jobs, according to the Beacon analysis. Leisure and hospitality, construction, other services, retail and trade, transportation, warehouses and utilities, government, education and finance and insurance have added jobs.
Wages declined in a few sectors, including wholesale trade, manufacturing and information.
The Port Commission has approved a 2024 spending plan for the Port of Long Beach
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