LAKE COUNTY – The Employment Development Department's latest report shows that Lake County's unemployment rate dropped in May.

Unemployment dropped to 7.2 percent, down 0.6 percent from April, according to a report from Dennis Mullins of the Employment Development Department's North Coast Region.

While down from April, that 7.2-percent rate is still up from May 2006's 6.6 percent, Mullins reported.

California's seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate for May was 4.9 percent, according to Mullins, while the nation's was 4.3 percent.

Surrounding county rates included 8.5 percent for Glenn, 11.5 percent for Colusa, 4.0 percent for Sonoma, and 5.2 percent for Mendocino, noted Mullins.

Lake County's unemployment rate ranked it 39^th out of the state's 58 counties.

Marin ranked No. 1 with the lowest unemployment rate, at 3.3 percent, Mullins reported. Imperial County had the highest at 16.2 percent.

Total industry employment grew by 190 jobs (1.3 percent) between May 2006 and May 2007, according to Mullins, ending the year-over period with 15,330 jobs.

Year-over job growth occurred in the following categories: farm; natural resources, mining and construction; information; professional and business services; private educational and health services; and government.

Year-over job losses occurred in manufacturing, financial activities, and leisure and hospitality.

Industry sectors trade, transportation and utilities, and other services had no change over the past year.

The farm sector led industry gainers for the year-over period adding 70 jobs and government – which includes federal, state and local agencies – gained 60, Mullins reported.

In looking at employment numbers, Mullins explained that as a sub-sector of government, local government represents about 90 percent of Lake's total government employment and consists of agencies such as public schools, the community college, tribal administrations (includes casinos), special districts (includes fire, water sewerage), and city and county governments.

Public schools account for about 40 percent of Lake's local government employment, he added.

Other industries that added jobs: natural resources, mining and construction, and private educational and health services each added 40; professional and business services and information were up 10 jobs each.

Leisure and hospitality led industry sector decliners for the period shedding 20 jobs, Mullins reported, while financial activities and manufacturing each dropped 10.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}