Downey unemployment rate at 8.8%

DOWNEY - The jobless rate in Downey is at 8.8%, according to data released Wednesday by the Economic Development Department.According to the latest employment figures, 4,700 Downey residents were still without a job as of January 2013. Downey's unemployment rate beats the L.A. County average of 10.9% and the Gateway Cities average of 12.3%, but lags behind cities like Cerritos (6%), Whittier (7.8%) and Lakewood (7.1%). Among cities with a workforce of at least 50,000, Downey's jobless rate is the lowest. The upcoming Tierra Luna Marketplace is expected to create some 3,000 jobs when it opens in a few years. Hundreds of jobs have also been created with the gradual opening of the Downey Gateway food court.

********** Published: March 28, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 50