Some Industries Are Still Hiring in O.C.

The unemployment rate for Orange County reached 9.6% in August – tied for a modern day record of highest unemployment rate in the region.

Some industries in Orange County are still doing well in spite of the economy. Federal and state jobs have accounted for four of the five top categories in terms of annual growth. Hiring for the census and hiring for the new Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. helped boost employment numbers in Orange County.

Local government employment, however, has slashed 3,300 jobs in the last year, a 2.9% decline. The depressed mortgage business added 100 local jobs – a 2.3% increase over the last year.