North Bay unemployment drops in May

Unemployment rates in May fell across the six-county North Bay region and California, according to state figures released Friday.

California’s rate of 5.2% fell after three consecutive months to 5.3%, according to the state Department of Employment Development.

Marin County recorded the lowest unemployment rate in the North Bay, at 3%, according to the state Department of Employment Development.

Napa County followed with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, while Sonoma County’s rate was 3.3%. Mendocino County last month had an unemployment rate of 4.1%, followed by Solano County’s 4.4%. Lake County’s rate of 4.9% was the highest in the North Bay, according to the EDD.

California employers in May added the most jobs since October, with the leisure and hospitality industry posting the best month-over-month growth, according to the EDD. The agency also reported above-average job gains since April in the trade, transportation and utilities sectors.

Information services had the biggest month-on-month drop in jobs, a four-month decline, according to the figures.

Marin County

The unemployment rate in Marin County was 3% in May, down from a revised 3.5% in April. The county’s unemployment rate in May 2023 was 2.9%.

County added construction jobs; trade, transport and utilities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and the government. There was no decline in jobs in other sectors.

Napa County

The unemployment rate in Napa County was 3.1% in May, down from a revised 3.8% in April. The county’s unemployment rate in May 2023 was 2.9%.

The county added jobs in trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and the government. There was no decline in jobs in other sectors.

Sonoma County

Sonoma County’s unemployment rate was 3.3% in May, up from a revised 3.9% in April. The county’s unemployment rate in May 2023 was 3.2%.

County added construction jobs; trade, transport and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and the government. Fewer jobs were available in professional and business services.

Mendocino County

Mendocino County’s unemployment rate in May was 4.1%, up from a revised 5.1% in April. In May 2023, the unemployment rate in the county was 3.9%.

The county added jobs in mining, logging and construction; production, trade, transport, storage and communal services; Retail trade; professional and business services; private education and health services; leisure and hospitality; and federal and state government. Fewer jobs were available in the wholesale trade; and local government.

Solano County

Solano County’s unemployment rate was 4.4% in May, down from a revised 5% in April. In May 2023, the unemployment rate in the county was 4.1%.

County added construction jobs; trade, transport and utilities; private education and health services; leisure and hospitality; and the government. There was no decline in jobs in other sectors.

The Lake District

The unemployment rate in Lake County was 4.9% in May, down from a revised 6% in April. The rate in May 2023 was 5.2%.

The county added jobs in mining, logging and construction; production Retail trade; financial activities; private education and health services; leisure and hospitality; and the federal government.

Fewer jobs were available in transportation, warehousing, and utilities; information services; professional and business services; and local government.