PolicyLink and PERE
35
An Equity Profile of Orange County
2.9%
3.9%
0%
4%
8%
12%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Downturn
2006-2010
2018
Relatively low levels of unemployment
Since the 1990s, the unemployment rate in
Orange County has generally been lower
than the national average. However, during
the 2006 to 2010 economic downturn,
unemployment increased more sharply than
the national average. Since then,
unemployment rates have fallen to pre-
downturn levels with a 2018
unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in
Orange County and 3.9 percent nationally.
Unemployment continues to be below the national average
Economic vitality
21. Unemployment Rate, 1990 to 2018
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and California Employment Development Department December Monthly Labor Force Data for Counties. Universe includes
the civilian non-institutional population ages 16 and older. Note: The years 1990-2017 use an annual unemployment rate, the 2018 unemployment rates reflect an
annual average unemployment rate.
