The EDD's October report, which lists preliminary labor force statistics for September of this year, shows that the county's joblessness rate dropped slightly from the previous month. September's unemployment level was recorded as 4.1%, as compared with 4.4% in the month of August. Out of a total labor force of 1,486,000 for San Diego County, 1,425,200 people were employed in September and 60,800 others were out of work.In addition, San Diego County is currently ranked as number eight statewide, which means that only seven other regions in California--San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Marin, Orange, Amador, Napa and Nevada--have lower levels of unemployment. Once again, the metro region experienced a lower rate of joblessness than the statewide average. The state's overall unemployment rate was 6.1% for the month of September, which is two whole percentage points higher than metro area's rate.

It is San Diego County's low unemployment rates, as well as its diverse economy and burgeoning population levels, that continue to attract commercial real estate investors to the area. Regardless of any blips that occasionally disrupt the market here over the short term, investors are still attracted to the metro area's long-term strengths.