Orange County’s job-growth streak hits 99 months but unemployment ticks up to 2.9%

Orange County’s employment winning streak grew to 99 months as local bosses added 14,400 workers in the 12 months ended in October while joblessness rose in a month to 2.9 percent.

Here are nine Orange County job market trends from the state Employment Development Department’s monthly report: October (seasonally unadjusted) data compared with a year ago and the average of the previous five years …

1. Jobs: 1.65 million compared with 1.64 million a year ago — up 14,400 or 0.88 percent — vs. O.C.’s 1.53 million 5-year average. It’s the largest job count this century for any October.

2. Job growth: That 0.88 percent growth rate compared with 1.60 percent a year ago and 2.38 percent two years ago. Four-county Southern California growth in October? 1.44 percent.

3. Recovery: Orange County has had year-over-year job growth for 99 consecutive months dating to August 2010. In this post-recession rebound, 285,300 jobs were created, or a 2.4 percent annualized hiring pace.

4. Unemployment rate: 2.9 percent compared with 2.8 percent the previous month; 3.2 percent a year ago; and a 5 percent 5-year average. And it’s the lowest jobless rate this century for any October.

5. Number of jobless: 47,100 compared with 51,900 a year ago — down 4,800 or 9.2 percent — vs. 78,423 over five years.

6. Goods-producing jobs: 260,300 vs. 263,400 a year ago — down 3,100 or 1.2 percent — vs. 247,767 over five years.

7. Service jobs: 1.39 million vs. 1.37 million a year ago — up 17,500 or 1.3 percent — vs. 1.29 million over five years. This is the biggest service staffing since 2000 for any October.

8. Government jobs: 163,900 compared with 164,000 a year ago — down 100 — vs. 155,017 over five years.

9. Comparable joblessness: For October, California’s rate was 4 percent; four-county Southern California at 4.2 percent; Los Angeles County at 4.7 percent; Inland Empire at 4.1 percent … and nationally, 3.5 percent.