Unemployment in Rancho Santa Margarita Near 6 Percent

Unemployment in Rancho Santa Margarita isn't as bad as some other nearby cities, but it's still almost 6 percent.

According to figures released Friday by the California Employment Development Department, unemployment in Rancho Santa Margarita is 5.8 percent. 

Other local areas are actually a bit lower: 3.9 percent in Coto de Caza, and 4.4 percent in Las Flores.

Unemployment in nearby areas such as Foothill Ranch is 2.9 percent, and in Portola Hills 5.0 pecent.

RSM is doing better than other local cities. Mission Viejo's unemployment rate is 6.6 percent, and Lake Forest's is 6.3 percent.

RSM's unemployment number is far less than two other south Orange County cities: San Juan Capistrano (8.0 percent) and San Clemente (7.3 percent).

"When I take a look at the unemployment rate in RSM as well as the larger number of distressed homes and foreclosures in our city, it demonstrates to me that these are extremely difficult times for our residents," said RSM Mayor Tony Beall. "There are  many cities where things are far worse for both the city and the residents of those communities. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for, the safest city, the balanced budget, millions in the bank, but that can't distract us from the fact that all of us are suffering through an economic crisis; we're perched on the precipice of falling into another recession. I worry about that all the time."

For those reasons, Beall said, it's important that the city leaders avoid political gamesmanship and "unnecessary politics and work to the best of our ability to improve the quality of life for our residents."

Approximately 9 percent of the Orange County workforce was out of work in August, but that was an improvement from a revised 9.3 percent for July, and significantly below the year-ago estimate of 9.8 percent. The estimates are unadjusted for seasonal fluctuations.

Countywide, 4,600 jobs were lost in the month. However, the county has picked up 11,700 non-farm jobs since August 2010.

Although Orange County lost jobs in August, the county is putting up better numbers than at the same time in 2010.

The unadjusted unemployment rate statewide in the same period was 11.9 percent; nationally, the estimate shows a 9.1 percent rate.

Government jobs in Orange County took the biggest hit between July and August, dropping 2,900 positions—more than half of the total non-farm jobs lost.

"Employment cutbacks were primarily concentrated in local government education due to the summer recess in classes," the employment department wrote in a press release.

Financial activities payroll employment fell by 1,200 jobs overall.

Other sectors that were hit:

• Other services: 1,000 jobs lost
• Leisure and hospitality: 800 jobs lost
• Construction: 700 jobs lost
• Educational and health services: 500 jobs lost
• Information: 100 jobs lost

Manufacturing, on the other hand, got a boost in August, with the largest month-over-month employment increase. The sector added 1,600 jobs overall.

In August, Orange County recorded the sixth-lowest rate of unemployment in the state.

—City News Service contributed to this story