LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The busy spring season has helped Lake County achieve its lowest unemployment rate in nearly 15 years.
The California Employment Development Department's latest report on joblessness across the state reported that Lake County's unemployment dropped to 5.9 percent in May, down from a revised 6.6 percent in April and well below the 7.1 percent reported in May 2015.
The agency said California's May unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, down from 5.3 percent in April and 6.4 percent the previous May.
Nationwide, unemployment in May was at 4.7 percent, compared to April's 5 percent and the May 2015 rate of 5.5 percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Lake County's 5.9 percent unemployment rate in May was the lowest the county has seen since August of 2001, when unemployment was at 5.8 percent, based on Employment Development Department historical data.
The late spring and summer months are traditionally strong for Lake County's employment picture, as two of the county's key industries – agriculture and tourism – hit their peak seasons.
The “total farm” employment category grew by 40.4 percent in May compared to April, with nearly 360 jobs added, according to state data. However, compared to May 2015, farm jobs last month were 4.6 percent – or 60 jobs – down.
In the “total nonfarm” category, leisure and hospitality was up 3.7 percent in May – or 40 jobs – and was 2.8 percent or 30 jobs over the same month a year ago, data showed.
Other strong subcategories in May included information, 8.3 percent; federal government, 6.7 percent; state government, 5 percent; goods producing, 3.9 percent; and service providing, 1 percent.
Countywide, jobs totaled 16,560 in May, compared to 16,040 in April and 16,280 in May of last year, the state reported.
Statewide, nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,407,100 in May, an increase of 15,200 jobs over the month, according to a survey of 58,000 businesses. The state added 440,300 jobs, a 2.8 percent increase, from May 2015 to May 2016.
A federal survey of 5,500 households showed an increase in the number of employed people, estimating that 18,081,000 Californians held jobs in May, an increase of 9,000 from April, and up 337,000 from May of last year.
Lake County's May rate ranked it No. 30 out of California's 58 counties, with San Mateo County once again having the lowest unemployment, 2.6 percent, while Imperial County had the highest, with 19.4 percent.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.