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Unemployment in Kern drops from 17.5% in June to 16.5% in July

New unemployment claims fall below 1 million for first time in 5 months

Nati Harnik/AP

FILE - In this July 15, 2020, file photo, job seekers exercise social distancing as they wait to be called into the Heartland Workforce Solutions office in Omaha, Neb. A Republican proposal to slash the $600 weekly benefit boost for those left jobless because of the coronavirus shutdown could result in weeks or even months of delayed payments in some states. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

By: Veronica Morley

Posted

and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The unemployment rate in Kern County was 16.5% in July, down from a revised 17.5% in June and above the year-ago estimate of 8.5%.

This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 13.7% for California and 10.5% for the nation during the same period.

According to the Employment Development Department, the unemployment rate has seen a decline since April.

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