The unemployment rate for San Diego is out and academics note it’s higher than the 4.2% for the national average, but lower than the California statewide unemployment rate of 5.3%.

San Diego’s jobless rate just hit a high not seen in three years as the region’s labor force surged. The unemployment rate was 5 percent in August up from 4.9 percent in July, state labor officials said Friday.

August’s rate compares to 5.9% for California and 4.4% for the nation during the same month. Between July 2024 and August 2024, total nonfarm employment increased from 1,556,900 to 1,558,500 — a gain of 1,