San Diego County Posts 8.6% January Unemployment Rate

The numbers continue to be grim in the job market for San Diego, as the county's unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in January, an increase from a revised 7.5 percent rate in December and above the year-ago estimate of 5.1 percent, previously noted by the California Employment Development Department.

Trade, transportation and utilities marked the largest decline — 8,400 jobs — while retail lost 6,200, mostly in general-merchandise and clothing stores.

The hospitality sector did away with nearly 5,000 jobs, 91 percent of which were in restaurants and bars. Professional and business services removed 4,500 positions.