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Orange RPU PY 2025-2028 Regional Plan <br />16 | Page <br /> <br />Demographic Insights <br /> <br />Unemployment in Orange <br />County disproportionately <br />affects specific demographic <br />groups, with notable <br />disparities by age, race, and <br />ethnicity. These trends <br />highlight inequities in labor <br />market outcomes and the <br />need for targeted workforce <br />strategies. <br /> <br />Workers aged 25–34 <br />accounted for the largest <br />share of the unemployed <br />population, comprising <br />25.95% (17,055 individuals). <br />This age group reflects a <br />critical segment of the labor <br />force, often in transitional career stages or impacted by skill mismatches. Following this, <br />workers aged 35–44 represented 22.45% of the unemployed (14,756 individuals), while <br />the 45–54 age group made up 17.84% (11,724 individuals). Older workers, aged 55–59 <br />and 60–64, accounted for 9.76% and 8.04%, respectively, indicating challenges for those <br />nearing retirement. The youngest group, under 22, comprised 2.76% of the unemployed, <br />reflecting limited labor market exposure, while those aged 65 and older represented <br />7.25% of unemployment (4,767 individuals)37. <br /> <br />Racial disparities in <br />unemployment remain <br />significant. White workers <br />constituted the largest share of <br />unemployed individuals at <br />59.24% (38,935 individuals), <br />reflecting their overall <br />representation in the <br />workforce. Asian workers <br />accounted for 25.60% (16,828 <br />individuals), while Black or <br />African American workers <br />made up 13.64% (8,965 <br />individuals). American Indian or <br />Alaskan Native workers <br />experienced the smallest <br />share, representing 1.52% (999 individuals). No unemployment was recorded for Native <br />Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander workers during this period38. <br /> <br />37 Lightcast. Economy Overview. <br />38 Lightcast. Economy Overview. <br />Data Source: Lightcast <br />Data Source: Lightcast <br />EXHIBIT 1