By Mike Harris Friday, May 1st, 2026

The tri county unemployment rate in March was 4.4%, a drop from 4.8% in February and 5.03% in January, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released May 1.

All three counties saw their unemployment rate decrease in March.

Ventura County’s rate was 4.4% compared to 4.8% in February.

Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.7% compared to 5.2.% in February.

San Luis Obispo County’s rate was 4.1% compared to 4.4% in February.

The region’s job growth for all industries climbed from 675,700 in February to 681,800 in March, a pickup of 6,100.

Santa Barbara County gained the most, 3,800, followed by Ventura County, 1,700, and San Luis Obispo County in third place with 600.

The region’s farm sector job growth in March was up by 5,700, with Santa Barbara County gaining 3,500, the most of the three counties.

The region’s non-farm sectors gained 400 jobs, a total pulled down by the loss of 400 such jobs in Ventura County.

California’s unemployment rate was 5.3% in March, a 0.1% decline from February.

The state gained 28,700 nonfarm payroll jobs in March.

Five of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs, led by strong gains in private education & health services (+27,800) as a major strike affecting the sector ended.

Offices of other health practitioners, nursing care facilities, and individual and family services also showed noticeable gains.

Professional & business services suffered the largest month-over loss (-3,400) for the state due to larger-than-usual drops in computer system design and related services, and scientific research and development services.

Accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping services also experienced losses despite it being tax season at the time.

Source: California Employment Development Department

4.4% — the tri-county unemployment rate in March 2026.

5.3% — the unemployment rate for California in March 2026.

+ 6,100 — net gain of jobs in all tri-county industries in March 2026.