{"h1":"Best counties for laid-off professionals in the West Coast","faq":[{"a":"Los Angeles County is the best all-round county for laid-off professionals in the West Coast, with a score of 75 / 100.","q":"Which county ranks first: best counties for laid-off professionals in the west coast?"},{"a":"34 counties have at least 100 openings, so the list has 34 entries.","q":"How many counties are ranked?"},{"a":"A county's score is the weighted average of its percentile rank on each measure among the ranked counties (100 is first, 0 is last): openings per 100 unemployed 40%, american job centers 20%, change in unemployment over a year 20%, private-sector job growth since 2022 20%. Openings are our professional roles placed in the county of the city their posting names; unemployment is BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted; jobs and sectors are BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; population is Census; American Job Centers are from CareerOneStop. The measures and weights are fixed in advance and shown here. Only counties with at least 20,000 people in the labor force, 100 openings, 500 unemployed people and 50,000 residents are ranked.","q":"How is the ranking calculated?"},{"a":"Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.","q":"How often is it updated?"}],"lead":"Los Angeles County is the best all-round county for laid-off professionals in the West Coast, with a score of 75 / 100.","minN":100,"rows":[{"n":10860,"bar":1,"key":"06037","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/los-angeles-county","name":"Los Angeles County","rank":1,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"5"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"40"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−1.4 points"}],"value":75.15151515151516,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"75 / 100"},{"n":9172,"bar":0.9758064516129031,"key":"06085","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/santa-clara-county","name":"Santa Clara County","rank":2,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"21"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":73.33333333333333,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"73 / 100"},{"n":100,"bar":0.9677419354838708,"key":"41017","sub":"OR","href":"/places/oregon/county/deschutes-county","name":"Deschutes County","rank":3,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"3"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.8 points"}],"value":72.72727272727272,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"73 / 100"},{"n":1571,"bar":0.9072580645161289,"key":"06067","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/sacramento-county","name":"Sacramento County","rank":4,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"4"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"12"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":68.18181818181817,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"68 / 100"},{"n":11689,"bar":0.9032258064516128,"key":"06075","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-francisco-county","name":"San Francisco County","rank":5,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"58"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":67.87878787878788,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"68 / 100"},{"n":133,"bar":0.9032258064516128,"key":"53005","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/benton-county","name":"Benton County","rank":6,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"4"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"2"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":67.87878787878788,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"68 / 100"},{"n":3888,"bar":0.8911290322580645,"key":"06073","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-diego-county","name":"San Diego County","rank":7,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"5"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"5"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":66.96969696969697,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"67 / 100"},{"n":4573,"bar":0.8588709677419353,"key":"06059","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/orange-county","name":"Orange County","rank":8,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"7"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"6"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.1 points"}],"value":64.54545454545453,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"65 / 100"},{"n":843,"bar":0.8508064516129031,"key":"41051","sub":"OR","href":"/places/oregon/county/multnomah-county","name":"Multnomah County","rank":9,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"4"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−1.0 points"}],"value":63.93939393939394,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"64 / 100"},{"n":179,"bar":0.8387096774193548,"key":"53063","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/spokane-county","name":"Spokane County","rank":10,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.4 points"}],"value":63.03030303030303,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"63 / 100"},{"n":2273,"bar":0.8024193548387095,"key":"06001","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/alameda-county","name":"Alameda County","rank":11,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"6"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"11"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":60.3030303030303,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"60 / 100"},{"n":174,"bar":0.7258064516129032,"key":"53011","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/clark-county","name":"Clark County","rank":12,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.5 points"}],"value":54.54545454545455,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"55 / 100"},{"n":132,"bar":0.7137096774193548,"key":"41039","sub":"OR","href":"/places/oregon/county/lane-county","name":"Lane County","rank":13,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"3"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−1.0 points"}],"value":53.63636363636363,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"54 / 100"},{"n":8591,"bar":0.7137096774193546,"key":"53033","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/king-county","name":"King County","rank":14,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"13"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"5"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"+0.0 points"}],"value":53.63636363636363,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"54 / 100"},{"n":436,"bar":0.6935483870967742,"key":"41067","sub":"OR","href":"/places/oregon/county/washington-county","name":"Washington County","rank":15,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"3"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−1.1 points"}],"value":52.12121212121212,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"52 / 100"},{"n":138,"bar":0.6814516129032258,"key":"06095","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/solano-county","name":"Solano County","rank":16,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"3"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":51.21212121212121,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"51 / 100"},{"n":110,"bar":0.6290322580645161,"key":"06087","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/santa-cruz-county","name":"Santa Cruz County","rank":17,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"3"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":47.27272727272727,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"47 / 100"},{"n":193,"bar":0.6048387096774193,"key":"06077","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-joaquin-county","name":"San Joaquin County","rank":18,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":45.45454545454545,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"45 / 100"},{"n":2927,"bar":0.5967741935483871,"key":"06081","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-mateo-county","name":"San Mateo County","rank":19,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"18"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"0"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":44.84848484848485,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"45 / 100"},{"n":250,"bar":0.5846774193548387,"key":"06061","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/placer-county","name":"Placer County","rank":20,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"3"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.1 points"}],"value":43.93939393939394,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"44 / 100"},{"n":123,"bar":0.5846774193548386,"key":"06041","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/marin-county","name":"Marin County","rank":21,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":43.93939393939394,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"44 / 100"},{"n":211,"bar":0.5725806451612903,"key":"06097","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/sonoma-county","name":"Sonoma County","rank":22,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"2"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":43.03030303030303,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"43 / 100"},{"n":488,"bar":0.5685483870967741,"key":"06013","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/contra-costa-county","name":"Contra Costa County","rank":23,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"2"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":42.72727272727273,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"43 / 100"},{"n":670,"bar":0.536290322580645,"key":"06071","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-bernardino-county","name":"San Bernardino County","rank":24,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"3"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":40.3030303030303,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"40 / 100"},{"n":325,"bar":0.5241935483870968,"key":"06029","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/kern-county","name":"Kern County","rank":25,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"10"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.3 points"}],"value":39.3939393939394,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"39 / 100"},{"n":557,"bar":0.5080645161290323,"key":"06065","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/riverside-county","name":"Riverside County","rank":26,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"11"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":38.18181818181818,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"38 / 100"},{"n":331,"bar":0.4959677419354839,"key":"06083","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/santa-barbara-county","name":"Santa Barbara County","rank":27,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"3"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"2"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.1 points"}],"value":37.27272727272728,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"37 / 100"},{"n":241,"bar":0.4959677419354839,"key":"53053","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/pierce-county","name":"Pierce County","rank":28,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"+0.0 points"}],"value":37.27272727272727,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"37 / 100"},{"n":371,"bar":0.4879032258064516,"key":"53061","sub":"WA","href":"/places/washington/county/snohomish-county","name":"Snohomish County","rank":29,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"+0.0 points"}],"value":36.66666666666667,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"37 / 100"},{"n":318,"bar":0.4758064516129033,"key":"06111","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/ventura-county","name":"Ventura County","rank":30,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"2"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":35.75757575757576,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"36 / 100"},{"n":103,"bar":0.4637096774193548,"key":"06079","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/san-luis-obispo-county","name":"San Luis Obispo County","rank":31,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"2"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.1 points"}],"value":34.84848484848484,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"35 / 100"},{"n":223,"bar":0.4596774193548386,"key":"06019","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/fresno-county","name":"Fresno County","rank":32,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"6"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":34.54545454545454,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"35 / 100"},{"n":114,"bar":0.3185483870967742,"key":"06053","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/monterey-county","name":"Monterey County","rank":33,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"4"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"+0.0 points"}],"value":23.93939393939394,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"24 / 100"},{"n":138,"bar":0.2862903225806451,"key":"06099","sub":"CA","href":"/places/california/county/stanislaus-county","name":"Stanislaus County","rank":34,"stats":[{"label":"Openings per 100 unemployed","value":"1"},{"label":"American Job Centers","value":"1"},{"label":"Change in unemployment over a year","value":"−0.2 points"}],"value":21.51515151515152,"change":null,"employers":[],"valueLabel":"22 / 100"}],"slug":"best-counties-for-laid-off-professionals-in-the-west-coast","unit":"openings","scope":{"id":"west-coast","kind":"region","name":"West Coast"},"title":"Best counties for laid-off professionals in the West Coast","family":"Best overall","method":["A county's score is the weighted average of its percentile rank on each measure among the ranked counties (100 is first, 0 is last): openings per 100 unemployed 40%, american job centers 20%, change in unemployment over a year 20%, private-sector job growth since 2022 20%.","Openings are our professional roles placed in the county of the city their posting names; unemployment is BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted; jobs and sectors are BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; population is Census; American Job Centers are from CareerOneStop. The measures and weights are fixed in advance and shown here.","Only counties with at least 20,000 people in the labor force, 100 openings, 500 unemployed people and 50,000 residents are ranked."],"builtAt":"2026-11-04T03:37:37.436Z","edition":"2026-11","measure":"claidoff","sources":["NextChapter job data: open professional roles by county","Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages","CareerOneStop American Job Center directory"],"baseline":null,"keyFacts":["#1 Los Angeles County, CA: 75 / 100","#2 Santa Clara County, CA: 73 / 100","#3 Deschutes County, OR: 73 / 100","34 counties ranked in the West Coast","Data as of November 2026"],"placeNoun":"counties","commentary":["The top ten is tightly packed: Los Angeles County leads on 75 / 100, and #10 Spokane County is at 63 / 100.","Deschutes County reaches #3 on a sample of 100 openings, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.","San Francisco County is the largest market in the top ten, with 11,689 openings behind its figure.","Counties with fewer than 100 openings are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful."],"license":"Free to use and share with a link to https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/best-counties-for-laid-off-professionals-in-the-west-coast"}