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California unemployment reaches 11.2

March 2009 BLS Unemployment

In March, regional and state unemployment rates increased dramatically. The West suffered the highest regional jobless rate at 9.8 percent. California reported the 5th highest jobless rate at 11.2 percent. The first was Michigan at 12.6 then Oregon at 12.1 percent. From February to March, over 62,000 jobs were lost in California. From March 2008 to March 2009, over 635,000 jobs were lost in the state, where the unemployment rate nearly doubled from 6.2 percent to 11.2.

From March 2008 to March 2009, California lost approximately 169,500 jobs in trade, transportation, and utilities sectors. The second most impacted industry was construction, losing over 152,300 jobs. The education and health service were the only sectors to increase employment, adding 38,000 jobs within the past year.