Encinitas Unemployment Down Slightly at 7.2 Percent, Figures Show

Encinitas had 2,800 unemployed residents in February as the city jobless rate fell to 7.2 percent, according to state data released Friday.

The unemployment rate for February was down slightly from 7.4 percent in January. The state puts Encinitas’ labor force at 38,300, with 35,600 employed. 

According to data from the California Employment Development Department, Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Del Mar also saw a dip; unemployment rates in all three cities are now below 7 percent.   

San Diego city and county rates were both at 10.1 percent in February, while Poway had a jobless rate of 6 percent. City statistics are not seasonally adjusted, said the state.

California's February seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 12.2 percent, down slightly from 12.4 percent in January, according to the department. Nationally, the unemployment rate for February was 8.9 percent.

In the county, agricultural employment gained 500 jobs over the month, said the state. Professional and business services reported the greatest month-over-month gain, adding 1,800 jobs. Other areas reporting gains were leisure and hospitality, educational and health services, and government.

Sectors that reported declines included trade, transportation, utilities, manufacturing and construction.

Ken Stone, editor of La Mesa Patch, contributed to this report.