INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – With more ‘help wanted’ signs going up, workers are responding pushing down the region’s jobless rate.

The August rate for Riverside-San Bernardino counties fell to 11 percent, a 2.4% improvement from July. The rate was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic struck last March. A year ago, it was 4.4 percent.

California’s statewide rate for August was 11.6%.

Those looking for work last month in the Inland Empire was estimated by the State Employment Development Department (EDD) at 223,100. Last April, it was more than 295,000.

Over the past 12-months, employment in the two counties combined decreased by 132,300 jobs. But, there was a gain of 15,400 jobs in August compared to July.

Story Date: September 25, 2020