Sonoma County regains prerecession jobs in April

North Bay jobless rates in April were well below levels of this time last year, thanks to continued job growth in the six counties, according to state figures released Friday.

North Bay counties’ annual job growth rates last month were for Napa, 1.8 percent; Sonoma, 2.4 percent; Mendocino, 2.6 percent; Marin, 2.9 percent; Solano, 3.2 percent; and Lake, 4.3 percent, according to the Employment Development Department. Of the largest local counties, Sonoma returned to prerecession employment for the first time last month, while Marin had already done that two years ago and Napa County, early this year for the third time.

“If you look at non-farm, payroll employment, Sonoma County grew by 4,500 jobs in the last year, about 2.3 percent growth. That is the number of jobs growth for employers hiring in Sonoma County. California overall, in contrast, grew over 3 percent since last year,” said Robert Eyler, professor of economics at Sonoma State University. “Sonoma County continues to see employment and income growth, where professional services, tourism support (restaurants and hotels), and health care are leading the way.”

Sonoma County

The jobless rate in Sonoma County fell to 4.2 percent in April, down from 4.6 percent in March and below the year-ago estimate of 5.3 percent, the EDD reported.

The number of Sonoma County jobs last month surpassed peak employment nearly eight years ago. Total employment was 202,100 last month, up 2.3 percent over 12 months, topping the 202,000 total jobs in June 2007.

Nonfarm job growth was 2.4 percent for the year, with 4,500 additional positions bringing total employment outside agriculture to 195,900. The previous pinnacle of nonfarm employment was 195,600 also in June 2007.

Farming employment over the month increased by 700 jobs, or 12.7 percent, to 6,200 in April but remained unchanged for the year.

The unemployment rate in the Sonoma County was 4.2 percent in April, down from a revised 4.6 percent in March, and below the year-ago estimate of 5.3 percent.

By comparison, the unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 percent for California and 5.1 percent for the nation last month.

The county dropped from sixth-lowest jobless rate in the state to seventh-lowest due to a fifth place tie between Napa and Orange, followed by Santa Clara, San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties, according to the state Employment Development Department.

Leading job-adding industries over the year were construction, up 11.8 percent, or 1,200 jobs, to 11,400, private service providing, up 2.6 percent, or 3,300 jobs, to 132,100; leisure and hospitality, up 3.8 percent, or 900 jobs, to 24,600; and professional and business services, up 5.0 percent, or 1,00, to 21,100.

Losing jobs in the last 12 months were manufacturing, down 1.5 percent, or 300, to 19,800;

local government besides education, down 2.8 percent, or 300, to 10,400; and special districts plus Indian tribes down 8.3 percent, or 300, to 3,300.

Remaining unchanged was finance and insurance at 4,800, and count and city government at 4,700 and 2,400 respectively.

Solano County

The unemployment rate in Solano County was 5.8 percent in April, down from a revised 6.2 percent in March, and below the year-ago estimate of 7.3 percent.

Nonfarm job growth for the year was up 4,100 positions, or 3.2 percent, to 131,100. Farming was up 100, or 5.9 percent, to 1,800 jobs.

Industries adding the most jobs over 12 months were private service providing up 2,900 jobs to 86,000 at 3.5 percent; goods producing up 1,000 to 20,400 at 5.2 percent; and trade, transportation and utilities up 1,200 to 26,400 at 4.8 percent.

Sectors that lost jobs over the year were state government down 400 to 4,900; state government educational services down 200 to 300; and general merchandise stores, down 100 to 3,300.

Solano last month remained 2,000 jobs, or 1.5 percent, below its peak nonfarm employment of 133,100 in September 2005. The county had lost nearly 16,000 jobs from the peak by early 2011.

Marin County

The unemployment rate in the Marin County was 3.3 percent in April, down from a revised 3.4 percent in March and below the year-ago estimate of 3.9 percent.

Total nonfarm jobs totaled 114,100, up over 12 months by 2.9 percent, or 3,200, and farm jobs remained unchanged at 400.

Job-gaining industries over 12 months were private service providing, up 2,400, to 88,500, at 2.8 percent; and leisure and hospitality up 1,100, to 16,000, at 7.4 percent; and trade, transportation and utilities up 700, to 18,700, at 3.9 percent.

Job-losing sectors were financial activities, down 200 to 6,800, at -2.9 percent; and local government down 400 to 12, 700, at -3.1 percent.

In April 2013, Marin first regained its peak number of jobs, with 109,600 positions passing the 190,100 jobs of June 2008. In the two years following, county nonfarm employment has climbed 5.2 percent, or 4,900 jobs, higher.

Napa County

The unemployment rate in Napa County was 4.1 percent in April, down from a revised 4.6 percent in March and below the year-ago estimate of 5.2 percent.

Nonfarm jobs were up 100 from March and up 1,200 for the year to 69,500 total, an annual gain of 1.8 percent. Total farm jobs were up 700 from March but down 400 for the year, at -7.1 percent.

Job-gaining industries over 12 months were beverage and tobacco product manufacturing up 900, to 10,300, at 9.6 percent; and private service providing up 800 to 43,400, at 1.9 percent.

Job-losing industries over 12 months were and educational and health services, down 200, 0r 2 percent, to 10,000.

In February, nonfarm employment in the county exceeded the peak level for the third time in as many years and was 2,200 jobs above that level by last month. Nonfarm jobs peaked at 67,300 in October 2007.

Mendocino County

The unemployment rate in Mendocino County was 5.5 percent in April, down from 6.9 percent one year ago, ranking 17 in the state.

Total farm jobs were up 10 to 1,460, a scant 12-month change of 0.7 percent. Total nonfarm jobs were up 800 to 31,280, at 2.6 percent.

Job-gaining industries were private service providing, up 500, or 2.5 percent, to 20,300; trade, transportation and utilities, up 140, or 2.4 percent, to 5,950 at; and manufacturing, up 70, or 2.8 percent, to 2,530.

The only sector to lose jobs was financial activities down 40 jobs, or 3.8 percent, to 1,020.

Lake County

The unemployment rate in Lake County was 7.1 percent in April, down from 8.9 percent one year ago, ranking 30 in the state.

Total farm jobs were up 100 from March to 990 total but down 60 for the year, off by 5.7 percent. Total nonfarm jobs were up 130 from March and 630 for the year to 15,340, up 4.3 percent.

One of the largest gains in employment for the year was service providing adding 550 jobs, to 14,530, at 3.9 percent. Also gaining for the year was education and health services, with 260 more jobs for a total of 4,580 at 6.0 percent; and local government, with 130, to 3,930, at 3.4 percent.

The only loss for the year was farm, down 60.

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