SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — October 26, 2026. California’s Employment Development Department estimates that 7,100 residents were unemployed in Santa Cruz County during September 2026. The latest county report lists 138,700 in the civilian labor force and 131,600 employed, producing a 5.1% not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate.

County versus California

For September, Santa Cruz County matches the 5.1% not-seasonally-adjusted California figure. Comparing the county estimate against the comparable statewide non-seasonally-adjusted series is more consistent than comparing it against a different, seasonally adjusted data series. The monthly data do not reveal how many workers collected unemployment insurance benefits.

The report provides context, not a claim about layoffs or job openings in one town. Economic conditions can differ across communities, and a county average cannot substitute for town-specific verified data.

Where to check current opportunities

The most recent data reflect conditions in September and were released on October 16; they do not establish current hiring as of October 26. The next statewide October release is scheduled November 20. EDD operates CalJOBS for job searches and offers additional employment and training services. Residents can use these tools directly rather than treating a monthly percentage as a job listing.

Official dataset: California EDD — September 2026 county civilian labor-force table, published October 16. The report applies to Santa Cruz County as a whole and should not be presented as a measurement for a particular unincorporated community without locality-level data.

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