SACRAMENTO >> Unemployment in Lake County crept slightly upwards in July, against a background of statewide workforce gains.
But the data, released by the California Employment Development Department, was hardly indicative of a downturn. Lake County’s unemployment rate increased to 7.2 percent in July, representing 2,150 out of a total labor force of 30,070. That compares of a June rate of 6.7 percent.
However, the numbers represented significant improvements over the close of the first quarter of 2015. In March, countywide unemployment stood at 7.8 percent. And it continued a trend erasing the losses of the recession.
A year ago, the department measured Lake County’s July unemployment rate at 9.7 percent — which was markedly better than the 12.6 percent of 2013, when 3,150 were out of work.
Meanwhile, California’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.2 percent in July, and nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 80,600 during the month for a total gain of 2,027,700 jobs since the recovery began in February 2010, according to data from two separate surveys.
The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged in July at 5.3 percent.
In June, the state’s unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, and in July 2014, the unemployment rate was 7.4 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,149,000 in July, an increase of 80,600 jobs over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 58,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change, July 2014 to July 2015, shows an increase of 494,200 jobs (up 3.2 percent).
Lake County ranks 33 among California Counties in terms of unemployment numbers for the month of July. The employment development office determined a 5.5 percent unemployment rate for Mendocino County and 6.3 percent for Yolo County, but both feature larger labor forces.
Colusa County reported an 11.8 percent rate.
In terms of counties with closely comparable potential labor forces, Lake County fared well. At 7.2 percent, the unemployment rate mirrors that of San Benito County (7.0 percent) and bests Tehama (8.4 percent) and Yuba (9.1 percent) counties.
The number of people unemployed in California was 1,179,000 — down by 17,000 over the month, and down by 217,000 compared with July of last year.
EDD’s report on payroll employment (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,149,000 in July, a net gain of 80,600 jobs since the June survey. This followed a gain of 22,300 jobs (as revised) in June.
Nine categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added jobs over the month, gaining 82,000 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest increase over the month, adding 22,300 jobs.
Two categories (mining and logging and government) reported job declines over the month, down 1,400 jobs. Government posted the largest decrease over the month, down 1,100 jobs.
In a year-over-year comparison (July 2014 to July 2015), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 494,200 jobs (up 3.2 percent).
Ten categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government) posted job gains over the year, adding 496,500 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 156,100 jobs (up 6.4 percent).
Construction posted the largest gains on a percentage basis, up 7.3 percent (adding 48,900 jobs).
One category, mining and logging, posted job declines over the year, down 2,300 jobs (a 7.3 percent decrease).
