Unemployment Still Hampering Economic Recovery

Sonoma County's unemployment rate jumped to 10.1 percent in June, up from 9.4 percent in May, according to most recent numbers from the Employment Development Department released last week. 

Statewide unemployment rates also went up slightly in June, according to the report from EDD released July 22. However, Sonoma County's unemployment rate is lower than the statewide rate, which hit 11.8 percent in June.

In June of last year, the state unemployment rate was 12.4 percent. In the Bay Area, the highest unemployment rate this month was in Solano County with a rate of 12 percent. Marin County had the lowest rate in the region at 8 percent.

National unemployment also increased last month to 9.2 percent. The state's unemployment rate is based on a federal survey of 5,500 California households and does not include agricultural jobs or people who have given up looking for work.

And you? How has the economy impacted you, Petaluma? Have you lost your job or having a difficult time finding steady employment? How has the economy taken a toll on your life? Tell us in the comments, or send an email to karina@patch.com with a brief description on how you've been impacted. Please include your phone number.

-Additional reporting by Bay City News