INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – The region’s jobless rate continues a slow downtrend as more jobs are created and people impacted by the pandemic return to work.

During the past 12 months, the State Employment Development Department reports that employment across Riverside and San Bernardino counties increased by 65,700 (up 4.5 percent).

Trade, transportation, and utilities led the year-over increase, adding 25,400 jobs.

That brought the August unemployment rate down to 7.6% compared to 11.5% a year ago.

California’s August jobless rate was 7.5% and nationwide it was 5.3%.

Statewide, California created 44 percent of the nation’s new jobs in August, having added 104,300 new jobs last month.

Story Date: September 22, 2021