Unemployment rose again in March
By Dan Verel, Business Journal Staff Reporter
NORTH BAY — Every North Bay County saw an increase in the unemployment rate in March, with Marin seeing the largest uptick from 8.4 percent in February to 8.8 percent, followed by a 0.3 percentage-point jump in Solano and a 0.2 increase in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino. Lake County saw the smallest uptick, to 19.5 percent in March from 19.4 in February, according to figures released by the state this morning.
Sonoma jumped from a revised 11.1 in February to 11.3 in March, compared to 9.5 percent a year ago. Napa increased from a revised 10.5 to 10.7, compared 8.6 percent at this time last year. Solano went from a revised 12.7 in February to 13 percent in March, up from last year’s 10.3 percent. Mendocino’s increased to 12.9, up from a revised 12.7 percent in March, compared 11.2 percent last year.
In Marin, lost jobs occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, with 300 lost jobs as a result of continued post-holiday layoffs, the EDD said. Another 100 jobs were lost in the information sector. The month-over job gains were less than usual for this time of year, the EDD said, although three-fourths of the major industries netted jobs. Government, private education and health services added 800 and 700, respectively. Leisure and hospitality posted an increase of 700 jobs, while food services increased by 400 jobs. Professional services gained 400 jobs.
In Sonoma, the most significant losses over the year remain in construction, which picked up 100 jobs since February but lost 1,000 over the year, and trade, transportation and utilities, which also netted 100 jobs over the month but lost 1,000 since last year. Government jobs saw the largest month-over increase, picking up 400 jobs, while hospitality and leisure picked up 200 jobs. Financial activities lost 100 jobs over the month.
California unemployment rose to another record, 12.6 percent.
Unemployment rates for North Bay counties
| County |
March 2009 |
February 2010 |
March 2010 |
State rank |
| Lake |
15.6% |
19.4% |
19.5% |
50 |
| Marin |
6.6% |
8.4% |
8.8% |
2 |
| Mendocino |
11.2% |
12.7% |
12.9% |
21 |
| Napa |
8.6% |
10.5% |
10.7% |
9 |
| Solano |
10.3% |
12.7% |
13% |
22 |
| Sonoma |
9.5% |
11.1% |
11.3% |
12 |
| California |
9.7% |
12.3% |
13.0% |
– |
| U.S. |
7.4% |
10.0% |
10.2% |
– |
Source: California Employment Development Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Will everyone explain the unemployment rate and the estimated number of homes that will be foreclosed on this year (anticipated to have more than any previous) to the Press Democrat and the local realitors who keep insinuating that home prices are rising and now (as usual) is the time to buy!
With rising unemployment, and the employment being created being low paid govt jobs like the census, etc this countty will see nothing but bad times for the next few years at best.
With our cities continuing to spend and continuing to raise taxes rather than cut expenses and our schools going to hell in a handbrasket, their isnt much being done to to make things better!
Maybe we can build some bike lanes and trains to nowhere to fill in for the bus services being reduced for lack of riders going south?
by zuma