The March employment report represents the first year-over-year decrease in the unemployment rate since the beginning of the pandemic. In fact, the 11.6 unemployment rate is even lower than the 11.9 percent rate in March of 2019. However, the labor market has clearly not recovered, as the number of people employed is down 4.3 percent from last year. The unemployment rate has only dropped because the labor force (the number of people working and seeking employment) has dropped even more, falling 6.1 percent.

In order for the local economy to recover, it will be important to see employment and labor force levels return to pre-pandemic levels.

Highlights from the recent report include: 


  • From March 2020, to March 2021, the Tulare County Employment Report showed a decrease of 1.6 percent in the unemployment rate and a 5.7 percent decrease in jobs
  • The industry with the largest numerical month-over growth was Local Government (Education), while Farm experienced the largest month-over numerical loss in jobs.
  • Year over year, employment decreased by 7,700 and the labor force decreased by 12,500.
Employment in Tulare County vs. California  
HOW DOES TULARE COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CHANGE OVER TIME?
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported a 1.6 percent decrease in Tulare County's unemployment rate, from a revised 13.2 percent in March 2020 to 11.6 percent in March 2021. 

Over the last ten years, the average month-over-month unemployment rate from February to March increased by 0.4 percent. This year, however, the month-over-month unemployment rate showed no change.
The graph below shows the trends in March employment over the last 10 years.
Gains + Losses | The Number of Jobs in Tulare County
HOW MANY JOBS HAVE COME AND GONE IN THE LAST YEAR & THE LAST MONTH?
YEAR OVER YEAR | A COMPARISON
From March 2020 to March 2021, Retail Trade showed the greatest numerical and percent gains with an increase of 300 jobs and growth of 1.9 percent. Professional & Business Services showed the greatest numerical decline with a loss of 2,500 jobs, while Arts, Entertainment & Recreation showed the greatest percent decline with a job loss of 40.0 percent.
MONTH OVER MONTH | A COMPARISON
From February to March 2021, Local Government (Education) showed the greatest month-over numerical gain with an increase of 600 jobs, while Arts, Entertainment & Recreation showed the greatest percent gain with job growth of 20.0 percent. Farm showed the greatest month-over numerical and percent decline with a loss of 2,400 and 7.2 percent of jobs.   
The employment data referenced in this newsletter is provided by the Employment Development Department of California.  
Please visit www.tularewib.org to learn more about our initiatives in Tulare County.

 Let's Connect! 
LIKE US | TWEET US