The Greater Palm Springs region experienced mixed unemployment outcomes in May, with notable variations among cities, according to the latest data from the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Overall, the region’s unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in May 2025, slightly higher than the 4.9% recorded in May 2024, reflecting ongoing economic adjustments following the pandemic.
Riverside County’s overall unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9%, unchanged from April; however, individual cities within the Greater Palm Springs area exhibited stark differences in employment stability.
Monthly labor and unemployment data for Greater Palm Springs – May 2025
Within Greater Palm Springs, Coachella reported one of the highest city-specific unemployment rates at 8%, highlighting persistent economic challenges. Rancho Mirage closely followed with a rate of 7.9%, underscoring significant localized disparities. Banning and Hemet also reported elevated jobless rates of 6.6% and 6.5%, respectively, reflecting ongoing employment concerns markedly above the county average.
Elsewhere in Riverside County, Cherry Valley faced the highest unemployment rate at 10.2%, further illustrating the region’s uneven economic landscape.
The combined unemployment rate for the broader Inland Empire region, encompassing both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, showed a slight improvement, declining to 4.8% from 4.9% the previous month.
Employment growth in Riverside County from May 2024 to May 2025 was primarily driven by the agricultural sector, which added approximately 1,500 jobs. Construction, hospitality, information technology, professional business services, and public employment sectors collectively expanded by an additional 3,100 jobs, while miscellaneous unclassified industries contributed another 400 positions.
Conversely, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector saw a reduction, losing around 400 jobs. Sectors such as financial services, health services, mining, and manufacturing remained stable without significant changes.
California’s statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was aligned with Riverside County’s at 4.9% for May, suggesting similar employment levels across the state.
