Humboldt County’s unemployment rate climbed to 5.6% in August from 5.3% in July, even as the labor force grew by 400 and only 200 jobs were added.
Just 200 of California’s 39,000-plus new jobs came from Humboldt, and month-over-month hiring was largely flat outside local government, which added 400 jobs, or 4.2%.
Year over year, weakness was sharper in manufacturing of nondurable goods and retail trade, both down more than 10% from August 2025.
Redway and Rio Dell showed the deepest local strain at 9.5% and 9.1% unemployment, while Arcata was at 7.5% and Eureka at 5.3%.
California’s statewide jobless rate held at 5.1% in August—tied for the highest in the U.S.—while local economists said a slight rise in help-wanted postings may signal some workers still expect openings.