According to new data released today, the state unemployment rate went up slightly last month. The statewide rate in August fell to 12.4% compared to 12.3% for the month of July. Meanwhile, local unemployment rates fared better during the month of August. In Monterey County, the unemployment rate during August was 10.5%, down from 10.8% in July, in Santa Cruz County, the unemployment rate also saw a drop in August, down to 11% from an 11.4% mark in July, and in San Benito County, the local unemployment rate was down to 14.8% in August from 15.6% in July. Over 2.26 million people are unemployed in California, according to the new study, that’s up 11,000 over the month and an increase of 81,000 compared to August of 2009.
