County, city jobless rates decline again

Tulare County’s unemployment rate fell to 14.1 percent in September, continuing a trend of lower jobless rates that began in July.

The 14.1 percent rate is the lowest in the county in more than two years, the California Employment Development Department reported on Friday.

California’s unemployment rate decreased to 10.2 percent in September, and nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 8,500 during the month for a total gain of 505,600 jobs since the recovery began in February 2010, according to the California EDD.

Porterville’s unemployment rate fell to 12.9%, Lindsay’s to 17.1% and Visalia’s to 8.7%.

In August, the state’s unemployment rate was 10.6 percent, and in September 2011, the unemployment rate was 11.7 percent. Porterville’s jobless rate last month was 13.8 percent.

The news is just as good when looking at the numbers. The EDD reported that 178,200 people were employed in the county last month, up from 175,900 in August, but still far below the 183,900 employed in May of this year.

The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.

Non-farm jobs in California totaled 14,347,900 in September, an increase of 8,500
jobs over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 42,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change (September 2011 to September 2012) shows an increase of 262,000 jobs (up 1.9 percent).

The state reported 18,700 were employed in Porterville with 2,800 seeking work.

Other jobless rates for the county: Ducor, 21.6%; East Porterville, 19.5%; Poplar, 17.1%; Springville, 13.2%; Strathmore, 20.2%; Terra Bella, 36.5% and Woodville, 14.3%.

In the county, gains were made in all areas, but the biggest gain was in farm jobs as the fall harvest moved into full swing.