North Bay unemployment rate ticks down in May

Take some solace, but not much.

The state’s unemployment rate in May was 16.3%, a minimal drop from April’s upward-revised unemployment rate of 16.4%, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department.

Statewide, employers in May added 141,000 nonfarm jobs.

April’s revisions, the EDD said, reflect unprecedented job losses not seen since 1976, a direct result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The unemployment rates that follow were compiled from survey data taken through May 12, according to the EDD. Data for the survey week including June 12 is scheduled for release on July 17.

Unemployment rates across the North Bay’s six-county region were lower in May than the state’s overall rate of 16.3%. Marin County's unemployment rate last month was 10.3%, the lowest in the region. Sonoma County followed at 12.7%; and Mendocino County reported an unemployment rate of 13.2%. Solano County's unemployment rate in May was 14.2%, while Napa County reported an unemployment rate of 14.4%. Lake County's figure was highest, at 15.4%.

MARIN COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Marin County was 10.3% in May, down from a revised 11.2% in April. Last year in May, the county’s unemployment rate was 2%.

The county added jobs in construction; trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and professional and business services. Fewer jobs were available in government.

NAPA COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Napa County was 14.4% in May, down from a revised 16.1% in April. The county’s unemployment rate in May 2019 was 2.3%.

Jobs were added in leisure and hospitality; and mining, logging and construction. Fewer jobs were available in government.

SONOMA COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Sonoma County was 12.7% last month, down from a revised 14.5% in April. Last year in May, the county’s unemployment rate was 2.4%.

Jobs were added in leisure and hospitality; mining, logging and construction; trade, transportation and utilities; and professional and business services. Fewer jobs were available financial activities and government.

SOLANO COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Solano County was 14.2% in May, down from a revised 15.1% in April. The county’s unemployment rate in May 2019 was 3.3%.

Jobs were added in leisure and hospitality; mining, logging and construction; and educational and health services. Fewer jobs were available in professional and business services, and government.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Mendocino County last month was 13.2%, down from 14.8% in April.

The county added jobs in mining, logging and construction; transportation, warehousing and utilities; state government; and leisure and hospitality. Fewer jobs were available in information services; and local government.

LAKE COUNTY

The unemployment rate in Lake County in May was 15.4%, up from 15.2% in April.

The county added jobs in mining, logging and construction; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and federal and state government. Fewer jobs were available in local government.

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