Riverside County Unemployment Rate Drops Below 6% as Job Growth Accelerates

Riverside County’s unemployment rate dipped below 6% in November, reflecting steady job growth across several major industries, according to the California Employment Development Department.

The county’s jobless rate fell to 5.5%, down from just over 6% in September, signaling continued economic recovery and workforce expansion. Leading the gains was the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which added more than 16,000 jobs. Much of that growth came from warehousing and logistics, a key driver of employment in the Inland Empire.

Additional job increases were reported in health care, agriculture, finance, leisure and hospitality, and the public sector, pointing to broad-based growth across the regional economy. The Inland Empire as a whole also saw improvement, with the overall unemployment rate declining to 5.4% for the month.

Not all sectors experienced gains. Construction recorded the largest losses, with payrolls contracting by approximately 2,700 jobs in November. Despite those cuts, overall employment trends remain positive as demand in logistics, health care, and service-related industries continues to offset declines elsewhere.

State employment officials note that continued monitoring of sector-specific trends will be important as the region works to sustain momentum and meet workforce needs heading into the new year.

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