Orange County's jobless rate was 4.5% in August, up from 4.1% a year earlier. About 36,900 people were looking for work, 3,000 more than in August 2025.
Orange County’s unemployment rate was 4.5% in August, according to preliminary federal figures. That is down from 4.6% in July but up from 4.1% in August 2025.
The figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Local Area Unemployment Statistics for Orange County. They are not seasonally adjusted. The bureau does not publish a separate rate for Horizon West, so the county figure is the closest measure for the area.
The numbers
The bureau’s August estimates for Orange County:
| August 2025 | August 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.5% |
| People unemployed | 33,854 | 36,917 |
| Labor force | 819,287 | 822,275 |
That is 3,063 more people out of work and looking for a job than a year earlier. The labor force, the people working or looking for work, grew by 2,988 over the same year.
There is no October 2025 figure. The bureau marks that month “data unavailable due to the 2025 lapse in appropriations,” the federal government shutdown.
How the county compares
Orange County sat just below the state and above the nation in August, on the same not seasonally adjusted basis:
- Orange County: 4.5%
- Florida: 4.6%, up from 4.3% a year earlier
- United States: 4.3%, down from 4.5% a year earlier
The national figure for September is already out, at 4.0%. County figures run about a month behind.
What it means for you
The county’s rate has risen over the year, but it has moved within a narrow band. Every month of 2026 so far has come in between 4.3% and 4.8%. The August figure is preliminary and will be revised when the September numbers come out.
For the cost of living side of the picture, see our Horizon West home prices page and our property taxes guide.
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