LAKE COUNTY — The county”s unemployment rate improved for the second month in a row during May, according to preliminary data released by the state”s Employment Development Department (EDD).
Lake County”s jobless rate was 16.8 percent in May, a 1.4-percent decrease compared to April and a nearly 3-percent drop compared to March.
No sector reported losing jobs overall during May. In total, the county”s unemployment increased by 700 jobs, helped by significant increases in the farming, leisure and hospitality, and government industries.
Lake County also improved its statewide ranking, bumping up to 50th among 58 California counties.
The rates for neighboring counties include Colusa at 18.3 percent, Mendocino at 10.6 percent, Napa at 8.7 percent and Sonoma at 9.4 percent. Marin County had the best May rate in California, sitting at 7.4 percent, while Imperial County had the worst with 27.7 percent.
The state rate improved by 0.3 percent, dropping to 11.4 percent. The national rate of 8.7 percent remained unchanged during the month.
The county, state and national rates each improved last month when compared to the May 2010 figures.
