Data: BLS LAUS Updated: May 2026 • National rate: 4.3%
Across 21 tracked locations in Metro San Diego, the average unemployment rate stands at 7.2% as of May 2026. This is 2.9 pp above the national average of 4.3%.
Employment is broadly improving: 17 locations recorded a month-over-month decrease versus 3 that increased. Arrows indicate change from previous month.
Click or hover a location on the map to see unemployment details. Use the buttons in the table below to zoom to a specific area.
Loading map data…
| Unemployment Rates for Selected Locations in Metro San Diego | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Current May 2026 |
Prev. Month |
6 Months Ago |
1 Year Ago |
| Brawley, CA | 16.4% | 16.9% | 18.5% | 14.2% |
| Calexico, CA | 26.3% | 27.8% | 33.7% | 25.8% |
| Carlsbad, CA | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.5% | 4.0% |
| Chula Vista, CA | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Coronado, CA | 4.2% | 4.4% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
| El Cajon, CA | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.7% |
| El Centro, CA | 14.3% | 15.2% | 16.9% | 13.3% |
| Encinitas, CA | 3.8% | 3.7% | 3.9% | 3.5% |
| Escondido, CA | 4.3% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.9% |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Imperial County, CA | 17.6% | 18.6% | 21.5% | 16.6% |
| La Mesa, CA | 4.5% | 4.6% | 4.5% | 4.0% |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 5.2% | 5.3% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| National City, CA | 5.2% | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.0% |
| Oceanside, CA | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 4.2% |
| Poway, CA | 4.3% | 4.2% | 4.4% | 3.8% |
| San Diego, CA | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
| San Diego County, CA | 4.5% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 4.2% |
| San Marcos, CA | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.7% | 3.9% |
| Santee, CA | 4.4% | 4.4% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
| Vista, CA | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.7% | 4.1% |
As of May 2026, the average unemployment rate across 21 tracked locations in Metro San Diego is 7.2%. Individual locations range from 3.8% to 26.3%. Click any location on the map or table to explore sub-area data.
The three locations with the highest unemployment rates in Metro San Diego as of May 2026 are: Calexico (26.3%), Imperial County (17.6%), Brawley (16.4%). These areas are highlighted in red/pink on the heat map.
The lowest unemployment rates in Metro San Diego are found in: Encinitas (3.8%), Carlsbad (4.2%), Coronado (4.2%). These locations appear in blue on the heat map.
The U.S. national unemployment rate for May 2026 is 4.3%. This is 2.9 pp above the national average of 4.3%.
Local area unemployment data is published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, typically 3–4 weeks after the end of the reference month. This page reflects data released for May 2026. Figures may be subject to revision in subsequent releases.
Unemployment data on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Data is subject to revision. Figures reflect not seasonally adjusted rates unless otherwise noted. ZipDataMaps.com is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.