Unemployment continues rising on the Central Coast
The Central Coast jobless rate is on the rise for the second consecutive month, jumping to 4.56% in July from 4.3% in June, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released Aug. 21.
All three counties saw their unemployment rate increase in July.
Ventura County’s rate was 4.7%, up from 4.5% in June.
Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.5%, up from 4.2% in June.
San Luis Obispo County’s rate was 4.5%, up from 4.3% in June.
The biggest difference in the latest unemployment rate was in nonfarming job growth, or lack thereof, as the Central Coast saw a net gain of 10,600 nonfarming jobs, down from a gain of 1,000 nonfarming jobs in the prior month.
Santa Barbara County saw a net loss of 4,800 nonfarming jobs, as the county suffered 4,700 government job losses, while Ventura County had a net loss of 4,400 nonfarming jobs, as the county lost 4,200 nonfarming jobs. Finally, San Luis Obispo had a net loss of 1,400 nonfarming jobs, as the county lost 1,500 government jobs.
California’s unemployment rate improved for the second month of a row, registering a 5.1% jobless rate in July, down from 5.3% in June and 5.3% in May. July 2026’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since Feb. 2024.
California added 70,500 jobs since the beginning of 2026, averaging a gain of 10,070 jobs per month.
Four of California’s 11 industry sectors added jobs in July, led by Construction (+2,900). An above-average increase led these gains in Building Equipment Contractors, some of which are tied to the construction of housing and infrastructure.
Source: California Employment Development Department
4.56% — the tri-county unemployment rate in July 2026.
5.1% — the unemployment rate for California in July 2026.
-10,600 — net loss of nonfarm jobs in all tri-county industries in July 2026.
