Monterey County reports one of the highest unemployment rates in state
Updated: 11:49 AM PST Jan 23, 2026
Monterey County had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, data from December 2025 found. The county had a 9.1% unemployment rate for the final month of the year, ranking as the fifth worst county in the state. With a total workforce of 214,700 people, a reported 19,500 did not have a job. It marks the worst December since 2021. This was a sharp increase from the months before. In November, the ratee was 6.7%, and in September it was at a year low of 5.4%. Santa Cruz, 6.4%, and San Benito, 6.5%, were ranked at 36th and 38th in the state. Putting them in the bottom half of all counties.
SALINAS, Calif. —
Monterey County had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, data from December 2025 found.
The county had a 9.1% unemployment rate for the final month of the year, ranking as the fifth worst county in the state. With a total workforce of 214,700 people, a reported 19,500 did not have a job.
It marks the worst December since 2021.
This was a sharp increase from the months before. In November, the ratee was 6.7%, and in September it was at a year low of 5.4%.
Santa Cruz, 6.4%, and San Benito, 6.5%, were ranked at 36th and 38th in the state. Putting them in the bottom half of all counties.