October's unemployment rate on the rise

Tulare County’s overall unemployment rate increased slightly to 14.4 percent as more than 700 jobs were lost, the Employment Development Department reported Friday as it released the October job figures.

Once again, State officials listed trade, transportation and utilities responsible for the largest job increase — 300 jobs —in Tulare County.

In California, the rate decreased to 10.1 in October, with nonfarm payroll jobs increasing by 45,800, data from the California Employment Development Department reported.

The U.S. unemployment rate increased in October to 7.9 percent.

In Tulare County the unemployment rate, which had been on the decline, saw a slight increase, going from 14.1 percent in September to 14.4 percent in October.

Since June, the rates had been hovering in the 15 percent range.

Locally, Porterville’s unemployment rate is reported as 13.2 percent, rising slightly from September’s 12.9 percent.

Unemployment rates for October listed Ducor at 22.1 percent; East Porterville, 20 percent; Richgrove, 44.4 percent; Strathmore, 20.7 percent; Terra Bella, 37 percent; and Woodville, 14.6 percent.

The county’s lowest unemployment rates were reported in Exeter, 9.5 percent and Visalia, 9.0 percent.

The city of Tulare reports an unemployment rate of 12.3 percent.