By Jorge Mercado Sunday, October 18th, 2026

After three consecutive months of a rising unemployment rate, the Central Coast saw some good news for September, with the jobless rate dropping to 4.66% from 4.76% in August, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released Oct. 16.

All three counties saw their unemployment rate decrease in September. 

Ventura County’s rate was still the highest but fell below 5% to sit at 4.9% in the latest report.

Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.5%, down from 4.6% in August.

San Luis Obispo County’s rate was 4.6%, up from 4.7% in August.

The Central Coast also saw a slight increase in nonfarming jobs, as the three counties combined to see a net gain of 1,200 nonfarming jobs, down from a net gain of 6,400 nonfarming jobs in August.

Santa Barbara County led the way with a net gain of 1,500 nonfarming jobs thanks to 2,500 government jobs being added in September. San Luis Obispo County actually had a net loss of 300 nonfarming jobs, while Ventura County had a net gain of 200 nonfarming jobs.

California’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.1% in September 2026, unchanged from August. The state lost 9,300 nonfarm payroll jobs during the month. August’s total nonfarm job gain was revised down by 16,300 to a total gain of 23,100 jobs for the month.

Source: California Employment Development Department 

4.66% — the tri-county unemployment rate in September 2026.

5.1% — the unemployment rate for California in September 2026.

+1,200— net loss of nonfarm jobs in all tri-county industries in September 2026.