LA County, City Unemployment Rates Dip

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County was 4.3 percent in March, down from a revised 4.8 percent in February, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The 4.3-percent rate was well below the 5.4-percent rate from March 2016.

Citywide, according to the preliminary numbers, Los Angeles had a 4.6-percent jobless rate last month --down from 5.1 percent in February.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, the same as the previous month.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for California was 4.9 percent in March, down from 5 percent in February and below the 5.6 percent rate in March 2016. The comparable estimates for the nation were 4.5 percent in March, 4.7 percent in February and 5 percent a year ago.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment increased in Los Angeles County by 16,000 jobs between February and March to reach more than 4.4 million. The educational and health services sector posted the largest gain, adding 7,500 jobs.

About 235,000 people were unemployed in March in Los Angeles County, which has a workforce of about 5.1 million.

By City News Service

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