By Jorge Mercado Sunday, September 20th, 2026

The Central Coast jobless rate is on the rise for the third consecutive month, jumping to 4.76% in August from 4.56% in July, according to the California Employment Development Department’s latest numbers released Sept. 19.

All three counties saw their unemployment rate increase in July. 

Ventura County’s rate was the highest, jumping to 5%, up from 4.8% in July.

Santa Barbara County’s rate was 4.6%, up from 4.5% in July.

San Luis Obispo County’s rate was 4.7%, up from 4.5% in July.

Despite the rising unemployment rate, the Central Coast saw growth in the nonfarming job sector, as the region added a net total of 6,400 nonfarming jobs, up from a net loss of 4,800 nonfarming jobs in July.

Ventura County added 3,000 nonfarming jobs, the most of any of the counties in the region, 1,800 of which came in the government sector. Santa Barbara County had a net gain of 2,800 nonfarming jobs, including 2,200 government jobs, and San Luis Obispo, which had a net gain of 600 nonfarming jobs.

After two consecutive months of losses, California’s unemployment rate remained at 5.1% in the month of August. It remains the state’s lowest unemployment rate since Feb. 2024.

California’s August 2026 nonfarm job gain (+39,400) made up more than 24 percent of the nation’s job growth (+162,000) for the month.

Source: California Employment Development Department 

4.76% — the tri-county unemployment rate in August 2026.

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

+6,400 — net loss of nonfarm jobs in all tri-county industries in August 2026.