Preliminary data from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) reveals that the unemployment rate rose in Stanislaus and Merced counties. In Stanislaus County, the unemployment rate increased from 6.4% in November to 6.9% in December, accounting for approximately 16,900 people out of work. In Merced County, the unemployment rate jumped from 8.5% to 10.2%, equivalent to roughly 11,500 jobless individuals. These figures are significantly higher than the previous year’s, which recorded 2,500 less unemployed individuals in both counties.

The farming industry suffered the most significant job loss, with 1,600 jobs lost in Stanislaus County and 2,200 in Merced County. This was primarily attributed to the onset of the colder winter months. Furthermore, around 600 local education jobs were cut in Stanislaus County. Stanislaus County saw hiring in the retail sector, despite a shift toward online shopping over the holiday period, leading to the employment of only 100 workers in this industry.

Within specific cities, Turlock reported an unemployment rate of 5.2%, equating to 1,800 individuals out of work. Similarly, Hughson had about 300 unemployed persons, marking an unemployment rate of 9.8%. Other towns such as Denair, Hilmar and Keyes also reported around 100 unemployed residents each.

Despite these numbers, there is a high demand for healthcare and social assistance workers in Stanislaus County, particularly for registered nurses. The county presently has over 1,600 job listings, 350 of which are for registered nurses. The biggest employers are Sutter Health and Doctors Medical Center, with a combined total of over 130 job openings. Merced County also has a significant demand for registered nurses, with currently 75 job listings.