San Diego County unemployment fell almost a half-percent to 9.8 percent in April, remaining lower than the state's rate but above national figures, state officials announced Friday.
County unemployment had been at 10.2 percent in March, and 10.3 percent in April of last year, according to the state Employment Development Department.
The figures are not seasonally adjusted.
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California's unemployment rate also fell in April to 11.7 percent, down from 12.3 percent in March and 12.2 percent in April 2010, according to the EDD. United States unemployment was 8.7 percent in April, a soft fall from 9.2 percent in March.
New hires in the leisure and hospitality industry helped increase nonfarm employment in San Diego County by 2,400 jobs between March and April, for a total of 1.2 million. Professional and technical services lost 1,000 jobs, while construction trades lost another 100 jobs, according to the EDD. Construction trades have lost about 1,700 jobs in the past year.
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In March, 151,500 people were unemployed in the county, which has a labor force of almost 1.6 million.
Unemployment* April 2011 March 2011 April 2010 San Diego County 9.8% 10.2% 10.3% State 11.7% 12.3% 12.2% National 8.7% 9.2% 9.5%*Source: California Employment Development Department; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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