Drop In Unemployment Rate Continues

Sonora, CA — The unemployment rate dropped for both the state and the Mother Lode.

California’s jobless rate continued on a positive downward trend. It dipped two-tenths of a point from 8.5% to 8.3 percent in December. According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), that is 1.5% lower than the same time a year ago. The Department reports more than 13,600 non-farm jobs were added. However, California’s rate still exceeds the national unemployment rate, which dropped to 6.7% in December.

The report showed the Mother Lode figures also decreased by two-tenths of a point. Tuolumne County’s rate was down to 8.5% for December. Calaveras County’s rate was down to 9.4% for December.

Sectors that posted the largest job declines were construction, manufacturing, information, and other services. Areas that saw job gains included mining, logging, transportation and utilities.