Central Coast jobless rate continues declining in April
The tri-county unemployment rate in April was 4.1%, down from 4.4% in March and 4.8% in February, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released May 1.
This was the third consecutive month that the unemployment rate has fallen in the tri-counties.
Ventura County’s rate was 4.2% in April compared to 4.4% in March, while Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.1%, down from 4.7% in March. The lowest unemployment rate in the region was San Luis Obispo County, at 4% in April.
In terms of job growth, the Central Coast did well for the second straight month, adding a total of 2,800 nonfarming jobs combined.
The biggest job growth was seen in Ventura County, which added 1,100 nonfarming jobs; the majority (400) came in the private education and health services sector. Santa Barbara County saw a net gain of 1,000 nonfarming jobs, including 400 in leisure and hospitality, as the tourism season kicks off. San Luis Obispo County added 700 nonfarming jobs.
California’s unemployment rate was 5.3% in April, the same rate as in March and a 0.1% decline from February.
Four of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs in April, led once again by gains in Private Education & Health Services (+11,500), with above-average gains being seen in Offices of Dentists, Home Health Care Services, Nursing Care Facilities, and Individual and Family Services as California’s population continues to age.
Information (-7,400) suffered the largest month-over loss for the state as declines were experienced in Publishing Industries as well as with Broadcasting and Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services.
Source: California Employment Development Department
4.1% — the tri-county unemployment rate in April 2026.
5.3% — the unemployment rate for California in April 2026.
+2,800 — net gain of jobs in all tri-county industries in April 2026.
