Highland’s unemployment rate dropped in the July report by the California Economic Development Department (EDD), but it was still in double digits. The rate dropped from 14.3 percent in June to 13.8 percent in July.
The city rate followed a statewide trend. California’s rate dropped from 16.4 percent in April and May to 13.3 percent — a bigger drop than the nation as a whole. But that’s still higher than the peak of the Great Recession when the statewide rate peaked at 12.3 percent in 2010, according to the EDD.
Other East Valley cities had slight improvements in their jobless rates. Redlands dropped from 11 percent to 10.4 percent, Loma Linda went from 9.2 percent to 8.7 percent and Yucaipa improved from 11.8 percent to 10.9 percent. The city of San Bernardino rate remained above 16 percent.
Nine of the state’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs last month, according to the EDD analysis. Trade, transportation and utilities added 40,900 jobs, the largest gain of any sector, thanks to the performance of motor vehicle and professional equipment wholesalers, as well as automobile dealers.
California employers added 140,400 jobs, according to the EDD. This comes after June’s record gain of 542,500 jobs and record losses from March and April. California has now regained nearly a third (31.1 percent) of the 2.6 million nonfarm jobs lost during March and April as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
July unemployment rates
Fontana 12.9%
Grand Terrace 13.1%
Highland 13.8%
Loma Linda 8.7%
Mentone 11.4%
Redlands 10.4%
San Bernardino city 16.1%
Yucaipa 10.9%
San Bernardino County 13.1%
Riverside County 13.7%
California 13.3%
