North Bay unemployment rates in May decrease, California’s rate also drops

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

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

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

Napa County followed with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, while Sonoma County’s rate was 3.3%. Mendocino County last month had a jobless rate of 4.1%, followed by 4.4% in Solano County. 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 recording the best month-over-month increase, according to the EDD. The agency also reported above-average job gains since April in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

Information services had the largest month-over-month decline in jobs, a four-month-long slide, 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%.

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

Sonoma County

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

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

Mendocino County

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

The county added jobs in mining, logging and construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation, warehousing and utilities; retail trade; professional and business services; private education and health services; leisure and hospitality; and federal and state government. Fewer jobs were available in wholesale trade; and local government.

Solano County

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

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

Lake County

The jobless 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; manufacturing; retail trade; financial activities; private education and health services; leisure and hospitality; and federal government.

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