Orange County’s 1.71 million jobs in June is a new record high

Why are Orange County roads jammed, mall parking spaces rare, and home prices rising?

Well, consider that bosses in Orange County had 1.71 million workers in June – a new record high. The county’s job count previously reached peaks in October to December 2023 – the first time employment records were broken since pre-pandemic 2019.

In June, local jobs grew by 5,400 in a month and 23,800 over 12 months, according to new data from California’s Employment Development Department. That’s 1.4% one-year job growth vs. the Inland Empire’s 1.9% and Los Angeles County’s 1.3%.

The Orange County unemployment rates were up, too, rising to 4% in June vs. 3.2% the previous month and 3.6% a year earlier. LA was 5.9% and the IE was 5.3% in June.

So how can both jobs and unemployment be rising? Yes, Orange County employers have bigger staffs – but those workers may not live in Orange County.  So, it’s likely many new Orange County positions went to commuters or remote workers.

Look at Orange County jobs, by industry niche, ranked by June’s hiring pace …

Leisure and hospitality: 238,400 jobs, up 2,400 in a month and up 5,700 in a year.

Professional and business services: 321,600 jobs, up 1,600 in a month and off 400 in a year.

Wholesale trade: 81,900 jobs, up 1,100 in a month and up 1,100 in a year.

Construction: 106,100 jobs, up 900 in a month and up 800 in a year.

Manufacturing: 153,900 jobs, up 700 in a month but off 3,200 in a year.

Retail Trade: 146,000 jobs, up 500 in a month and up 1,100 in a year.

Financial activities: 103,900 jobs, up 400 in a month but off 400 in a year.

Information: 21,500 jobs, up 300 in a month but off 1,300 in a year.

Government: 166,300 jobs, up 100 in a month and up 3,400 in a year.

Transportation/warehousing/utilities: 35,000 jobs, up 100 in a month and up 100 in a year.

Private education/health services: 276,200 jobs, off 2,800 in a month but up 14,600 in a year.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com