Good News! Gains Drive Countywide Jobless Rate Down

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA --- Growth in all but a few sectors of the regional economy pushed Riverside County's unemployment rate lower last month, state officials reported today.

The jobless rate in May, based on preliminary estimates, was 5.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent in April and 1.1 percentage points lower than a year ago, when unemployment stood at 6.5 percent, according to the California Employment Development Department.

According to EDD figures, the countywide civilian labor force numbered 1,033,400, with 55,600 people out of work in May.

The unincorporated community of Mecca had the highest unemployment rate countywide at 14.2 percent, followed by Cabazon and the March Air Reserve Base census-designated community, each of which reported an unemployment rate of 10.9 percent. Homeland had the next-highest rate at 8.8 percent.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in May was 5.3 percent, down from 5.6 percent the prior month.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls declined in only two sectors -- financial services and hospitality -- which together shed about 1,000 jobs.

Payrolls increased by the widest margin in health services, which added 2,400 positions in May, according to the EDD.

The public sector, retail trade, construction and manufacturing altogether expanded by 2,600 jobs.

Employment was unchanged in miscellaneous unclassified industries, professional services, information technology and the mining sector.

The state's non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate in May was 4.7 percent, according to the EDD.

• Also see: Office Depot Hiring 8,000 Nationwide For Back-To-School Rush

--City News Service