Fresno County’s unemployment rate rose to 6.5% in November, up from October’s revised jobless rate of 5.8%, the state said Friday.
Meanwhile, California’s unemployment rate held steady at the record low of 3.9% in November.
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Between October and November, the Fresno area shed 1,400 total jobs. While non-farm employment saw an overall increase of 1,600 jobs, agriculture lost 3,000 workers. The state Employment Development Department said the farm labor drop is normal during the fall season as grape harvesting ends.
The EDD said local manufacturing businesses eliminated 1,800 jobs last month and construction lost 300.
Unemployment in the city of Fresno dipped to 4.9% in November, down from 5.2% reported in October. There were 600 fewer unemployed residents in the city last month, according to EDD data.
Fresno Unemployment Below Last Year’s Rate
Despite overall job losses, unemployment in Fresno County still remains below last November’s estimated rate of 6.8%.
Fresno’s largest month over month employment gains came in the government sector, which added 1,900 jobs. Trade (including retail business), transportation and utilities increased by 1,500 jobs, aided by holiday hiring, state figures show.
Meanwhile, the state added 28,400 nonfarm jobs during the month as a record job expansion continued, the EDD reported. The expansion has now extended for 117 months.
California’s unemployment rate record of 3.9% was set in October.
The number of unemployed Californians is the lowest since 1989 despite large gains in statewide population since then, the EDD said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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