With the economy on the skids nationwide, the Eastern Sierra is not immune. Local unemployment continues to rise, but so far Mono and Inyo Counties are running below the state average.

According to the latest numbers from the state, unemployment in California as a whole ran at 11.5% in March, above the national average of 9%.
Both Inyo and Mono Counties fluctuated near 5% between 2000 and 2007. Now, unemployment is creeping up on rates that havent been seen since the 90s.

For February, Inyo County had inched up to 9.7%. Now, the March numbers show an unemployment rate of 10.3% and 950 still actively looking for work.

Unemployment is not as high in Mono County, but the labor force has also dropped as people are no longer seeking work perhaps because they left the area. Unemployment in February ran 7.6%. This rose in March to 7.9% and 710 people looking for work.

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