Unemployment
Socioeconomic Factor Indicator
Measures the share of the labor force that is unemployed—an economic stressor linked to reduced access to care and greater pollution burden.
What is unemployment?
The US Census Bureau considers people who are over 16 years old, out of work, and able to work as unemployed. This definition does not include students, active duty military, retired people, or people who have stopped looking for work.
Why is it included in CalEnviroScreen?
- People who are unemployed may have no health insurance or access to medical care.
- Stress from long-term unemployment can lead to chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, and can shorten a person's life.
- Unemployment and resulting poverty often constrain people to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of pollution and environmental degradation.
How is it measured?
- The indicator is the percent of the population over the age of 16 that is unemployed and eligible for the labor force. The data are from the years 2020–2024.
- The US Census Bureau's American Community Survey maintains information on the rate of unemployment in different areas in California.
