California Unemployment Rate 5.1 for
California Unemployment Rate came in at 5.1 (Percent) for Jul 2026, down 1.92% from 5.2 the prior month and 7.27% below its level of 5.5 one year ago. The series has averaged 7.08 since 1976, reaching a record high of 16.1 in April 2020 and a record low of 3.8 in August 2022.
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<iframe src="https://marketxls.com/embed/indicators/california-unemployment-rate" width="100%" height="460" frameborder="0" title="California Unemployment Rate chart"></iframe><p style="font:12px/1.4 sans-serif;margin:4px 0 0"><a href="https://marketxls.com/indicators/california-unemployment-rate" rel="nofollow">California Unemployment Rate chart - MarketXLS</a></p>Historical Data
⋮ | ⋮ |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | 5.1 |
| June 1, 2026 | 5.2 |
| May 1, 2026 | 5.3 |
| April 1, 2026 | 5.3 |
| March 1, 2026 | 5.3 |
| February 1, 2026 | 5.4 |
| January 1, 2026 | 5.4 |
| December 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| November 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| September 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| August 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| July 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| June 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| May 1, 2025 | 5.5 |
| April 1, 2025 | 5.4 |
| March 1, 2025 | 5.4 |
| February 1, 2025 | 5.4 |
| January 1, 2025 | 5.4 |
| December 1, 2024 | 5.4 |
| November 1, 2024 | 5.4 |
⋮ | ⋮ |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2001 | 4.9 |
| February 1, 2001 | 4.8 |
| January 1, 2001 | 4.7 |
| December 1, 2000 | 4.7 |
| November 1, 2000 | 4.7 |
| October 1, 2000 | 4.8 |
| September 1, 2000 | 4.9 |
| August 1, 2000 | 4.9 |
| July 1, 2000 | 5 |
| June 1, 2000 | 5 |
| May 1, 2000 | 5.1 |
| April 1, 2000 | 5 |
| March 1, 2000 | 5 |
| February 1, 2000 | 5 |
| January 1, 2000 | 5 |
| December 1, 1999 | 5 |
| November 1, 1999 | 5 |
| October 1, 1999 | 5.1 |
| September 1, 1999 | 5.1 |
| August 1, 1999 | 5.2 |
About California Unemployment Rate
What it measures
The California unemployment rate, published monthly and seasonally adjusted under FRED series CAUR, comes from the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program. It measures joblessness across the largest state economy in the nation, one anchored by technology in Silicon Valley, entertainment in Los Angeles, and a vast agricultural sector in the Central Valley.
Why it matters
Because California would rank among the world's largest economies on its own, its labor market carries national weight. Tech hiring cycles, studio production schedules, and farm labor demand all feed this number, so a sustained rise often flags softness in high-wage sectors that drive consumer spending and state tax receipts well beyond California's borders.
How to read it
Compare the level against the national unemployment rate; California typically runs somewhat above it. Focus on direction and persistence rather than any single month, since tech layoffs can lift the rate quickly while agriculture adds seasonal noise. A widening gap versus the US average suggests state-specific stress rather than a broad national slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current California Unemployment Rate?
California Unemployment Rate is 5.1 (Percent) as of July 2026.
What is the all-time high and low of California Unemployment Rate?
The highest value on record is 16.1 (April 2020) and the lowest is 3.8 (August 2022).
How often is California Unemployment Rate updated?
California Unemployment Rate is published on a monthly basis, sourced from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
Stats
| Last Value | 5.1 |
| Latest Period | Jul 2026 |
| Last Updated | August 26 2026, 04:13 |
| Value Previous Month | 5.2 |
| Change From Previous Month | -1.92% |
| Value 1 Year Ago | 5.5 |
| Change From Year Ago | -7.27% |
| Average Growth Rate | -1.16%/yr |
| Record High (Apr 2020) | 16.1 |
| Record Low (Aug 2022) | 3.8 |
| Long-Term Average | 7.08 |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Adjustment | Seasonally Adjusted |
| Unit | Percent |
Annual Averages
| 2026 | 5.29 |
| 2025 | 5.46 |
| 2024 | 5.29 |
| 2023 | 4.72 |
| 2022 | 4.28 |
| 2021 | 7.35 |
| 2020 | 10.17 |
| 2019 | 4.09 |
| 2018 | 4.26 |
| 2017 | 4.83 |
| 2016 | 5.52 |
| 2015 | 6.22 |
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