San Diego’s Quarterly Economic Snapshot: Q1 2017

According to EDC’s newly released Quarterly Economic Snapshot, the region added 29,600 jobs year-over-year, a 2.1 percent increase in total employment since Q1 2016. However, the San Diego region saw a quarterly decline of 10,900 jobs, primarily due to seasonal workers transitioning out of retail following the holiday season.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points during Q1 2017, but is 0.7 percentage points lower than the same period a year ago.

Key findings from the snapshot:

  • San Diego closed Q1 2017 with an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent, the 14th lowest among top U.S. metros and below the nation’s and state’s rates of 4.6 and 5.1, respectively.
  • The construction sector saw the largest quarterly and year-over-year growth in employment, adding 2,800 and 5,700 jobs, respectively – indicative of the overall health of the economy.
  • The median home price fell 0.7 percent from the previous quarter, but is still up 5 percent compared to a year ago.
  • VC dollars in the region increased 15.2 percent compared to the previous quarter.

Kirby Brady, San Diego Regional EDC research director, explains, “A small uptick in unemployment and slowing home price appreciation are to be expected in the winter months. However, when you look at the overall trends, San Diego appears to be reaching full employment and real estate remains a seller’s market. If these trends continue, we’ll start to see wages rise.”

The Quarterly Economic Snapshot analyzes key economic indicators that are important to understanding the regional economy and the region’s standing relative to the 25 most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S. This releases includes data from January to March (Q1) 2017.

Read it here.