LAKE COUNTY — The county”s unemployment rate rose for the second straight month in November, increasing to 16.7 percent, according to preliminary data released by the state”s Employment Development Department.
Joblessness jumped up 0.5 percentage points during the month. Still, the current rate marks a dramatic improvement compared to November 2010, when Lake County unemployment was 19.2 percent.
County employment decreased by 730 jobs between October and November, hurt mainly by cutbacks in two industries: seasonal farming, and leisure, hospitality and tourism.
Lake County slipped one spot in the statewide rankings. It now sits at 54th out of 58 California counties. Rates for neighboring counties include Mendocino at 10.1 percent, Napa at 8.6 percent, Sonoma at 8.9 percent and Colusa at 19.7 percent.
The state unemployment rate (now 10.9 percent) improved for the fourth consecutive month, dropping below 11 percent for the first time this year. The national rate decreased to 8.2 percent, its lowest mark in 2011.
