Pasadena’s Unemployment Rate Inches Up to 9%

The unemployment rate in Pasadena in March increased by two-tenths of a percent from February to 9%, according to the latest federal data.

The city saw an 8.8% rate in February, following 10.4% in January and 9.8% in December, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

March’s rate was nearly double the 4.7% unemployment rate recorded in March 2020, just before pandemic response measures placed the state under “stay-at-home” orders.

Joblessness peaked in Pasadena in May 2020, with a 15.4% rate documented.

Regionally, Los Angeles County’s rate declined to 11.3% in March, compared with 11.5% in February, according to the California Employment Development Department. Last year’s rate was 5.4%.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County decreased to 11.3% in March 2021, from a revised 11.5% in February 2021, and was above the rate of 5.4% one year ago. 

At the state level, the EDD reported an 8.3% unemployment rate, down from 8.5% in February.

Statewide, unemployment saw its pandemic peak in April of 2020 at 16%, according to the EDD.

“All but one of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs last month,” according to an EDD statement. “Leisure & Hospitality (+42,400) continued to have the state’s largest month-over increase thanks to Full-Service Restaurants. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+32,200) also had large gains thanks to strength in Clothing Stores and Transportation and Warehousing. Strong gains were also posted in Professional and Business Services (+22,000) led by accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping firms.”

The lone category to see losses was Financial Activities, down 600 jobs, “which was mainly due to declines in Finance and Insurance, as well as Activities Related to Real Estate.”

The federal unemployment rate for March was 6%, representing a continued steady decline since peaking in April.

“These improvements in the labor market reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” the Bureau of Labor statistics said in its monthly report. “Job growth was widespread in March, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, public and private education, and construction.”