According to statistics released Friday by the Employment Development Department, 9.7 percent of the workforce — roughly 3,200 people — was unemployed in Tracy last month, compared with 9.9 percent in August. Countywide, 15.5 percent of the population was out of a job, down from 15.7.
Throughout California, 12 percent of people are out of work, while 9.5 percent nationwide are unemployed, the EDD said.
About 1,900 people were hired throughout the county in September, mainly in the farming industry. However, 8,100 fewer people were employed in September compared with the same time frame in 2008. The EDD’s statistics showed that farming was the only industry to show growth last month, in contrast to September 2008’s numbers.
Roughly 900 people gained a job with the government last month, and other non-farming industries also reported a growth of about 900 jobs. The educational and health services industries saw a bump of about 600 workers.
No job increases or decreases were reported in the mining and logging, trade, transportation and utilities, information and financial services industries.
About 24,000 people — roughly 18.6 percent — in Stockton, the county’s biggest city, are not working.
Tracy unemployment was at its worst in July at 10.1 percent.
They'll have to come up with something else.