With the local economy on a continuing roller-coaster ride due to the coronavirus, the Los Angeles County unemployment rate dipped to 19.4% in June, down from 21.1% in May, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.
The 19.4% rate was well above the 4.4% rate from the pre-coronavirus era of June 2019.
In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the May jobless rate was 13.7%, down from 14.5% in May.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 14.9% in June, down from 16.4% in May, but well above the 4% rate from June 2019. The comparable estimates for the nation were 11.1% in June, 13.3% in May and 3.7% in June 2019.
According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 147,000 jobs between May and June to reach nearly 4.1 million. The reopenings of restaurants and drinking establishments drove the increase, contributing to a 68,200-job gain in the leisure and hospitality sector.