All areas of the country are apt to go through economic boom and bust periods, and while Los Angeles is not immune to the cyclic nature of the overall economy, Los Angles has a enough economic diversity to keep employment rates at levels more stable than in other parts of the country.

What first comes to mind when people think of Los Angeles? Traditionally, the mention of LA conjures up images of Hollywood and the film and Television industries. And while the film and TV industries are huge – when an Angelino refers to “The Industry” he or she is talking about the film and TV industries – they are by no means the only employment opportunities that exist in Los Angeles County.

Los Angles County – and, by common extension, Los Angeles alone, encompassing 88 cities and 140 unincorporated areas, is vast. Each city and unincorporated area has its own unique economic environment, which greatly contributes to a generally healthy economy.

In addition to the film and TV industries Los Angeles is also home to two of the largest aircraft companies in the United States, the McDonald Douglas division of the Boeing Company in Long Beach, and the Lockheed Corporation in Palmdale.

In addition, LA has a large publishing forum, technology sector, public relations | advertising component, and a huge telecommunications and transportation industry. The entertainment industry, separate from the film and TV industries, is also huge, with theme parks, production companies and additional residual businesses such as hospitality and service professions employing thousands of people. With more than 1,500 farms in the country and a large concentration of devout organic consumers, Los Angeles also has a surprisingly large agricultural work force.

As of November 2004, Los Angeles County had a labor force of just over 4.8 million workers and an average unemployment rate just shy of six percent.