An uptick in jobless rate

Unemployment numbers in the city jumped in June as schools let out

After dropping to an eight-year low, Santa Clarita’s unemployment rate in June jumped nearly one percentage point to 4.7 percent, up from 3.9 percent in May, according to data released by California’s labor bureau Friday.

Even though the spike broke a five-month record of falling unemployment claims, if June’s numbers follow traditional patterns, there’s no cause for alarm, said a city official.

“We traditionally see any increase in this month when schools have let out,” said Jason Crawford, the city’s economic development manager.

Teachers being out of work for the summer can

drive up unemployment numbers because in the public sector, schools are the largest employer in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Statewide, educational and health services combined posted the largest month-over-month decline as well — shedding 8,500 jobs, according to numbers released by the Employment Development Department.

The jobless rate in Los Angeles County barely moved, dipping to 4.8 percent in June from 4.9 percent in May.

Statewide, however, the unemployment rate adjusted upward slightly, moving from 5.2 percent in May up to 5.4 percent in June.

All in all, Santa Clarita’s unemployment rate fell to below 4 percent last month for the first time since January 2008 — the lowest it’s been since millions of people began losing their jobs during the Great Recession. The city’s rate back then was 3.7 percent.

“We’re happy to see that this month’s rate is one of the lowest rates since the recession,” Crawford said. “Year-over-year we keep seeing positive increases in the number of jobs in Santa Clarita.”

The city’s unemployment rate was 6.7 percent a year ago.