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In 1970, thirty percent of the employed population commuted to work outside Orange County. Although many large firms have opened new plants or relocated to Orange County, the number of outward commuters still remains high, especially from the cities closest to Los Angeles County. The unemployment rate is expected to hold close to the 7.0 percent level for the remainder of 1975. The actual jobless total will generally be below the June count which was inflated with new graduates and summer job seekers. Resident employment is expected to expand by 17, 100 workers or 2.5 percent over the six-month forecast period, bringing the total civilian labor force to a new high of 735. 600. Job opportunities in Orange County are expected to continue to rise at an annual rate in excess of 6.0 percent through the end of 1974. l~actory payrolls will increase by several thousand by the end of 1975, with the largest number of accessions expected in the machinery and electronics industries. Layoffs are anticipated, however, in ordnance and in boat and trailer building. Many firms forecast continuing layoffs until orders pick up. The first quarter is generally the weakest time of the year in the job market, as post-holiday layoffs in retail trade and the winter slowdown in construction inflate the jobless rolls. These factors coupled with a continuing loss of factory jobs will boost unemployment to even higher levels during the first half of 1975, but the Orange County unemployment rate is expected to remain v~ll below the rate for California. Recent changes in employment estin~ating procedures shed some light on the magnitude of the number of workers living in Orange County and com- muting to Los Angeles County for employment. Under the old methodology, it was reported that there were 574,000 workers in Orange County, by estimating the number of jobs. However, revised estimates reported a figure of 646, 800 by a count of the number of workers by place of residence. This comparison indicates that Orange County has considerably more workers than it has jobs and that the major portion of the difference in the two esti- mates is accounted for by workers who live in Orange, hut are actually employed in neighboring Los Angeles County. Some of the major firms which are relocating from Los Angeles County to Orange County are expressing concern over the lack of lower-priced (U. nder $33,,,000.) housing in Orange County, especially near the location of the ir new sites. Employment, by phce of residence, increased from 591, 000 in 1972 to 627,000 in 1973. On July 31, 1974, the number of residents employed was estimated to be 650, 300. O000,%v;