Sonoma County’s jobless rate remains at 18-year low

Unemployment rose slightly in December across the North Bay, with the exception of Sonoma County, where it remained at the lowest level in 18 years, according to new state figures released Friday.

Sonoma County’s jobless rate was 2.8 percent in December, unchanged from November and well below levels from a year ago, when it stood at 3.6 percent. It was the fifth-lowest rate in the state.

Unemployment stood at 4.1 percent for the U.S. and 4.3 percent for California.

Overall employment remained flat at 211,000. Job losses in construction, hotels and restaurants were offset by increased hiring in health care and retail between November and December. Over the last year, Sonoma County employers have added 1,900 jobs.

In Mendocino County, unemployment rose to 4.2 percent in December, up from 3.9 percent in November but down from 5.3 percent a year ago. Employment rose slightly to 32,630, a gain of 40 jobs from November and 490 jobs from a year ago.

In Lake County, unemployment rose to 5.6 percent in December, up from 5.3 percent in November but down from 6.7 percent a year ago. Employment dipped to 16,580, a loss of 10 jobs from November but up 160 jobs from a year ago.

The unemployment rate in Napa County was 3.6 percent in December, up from 3.3 percent in November but down from 4.6 percent a year ago.

Unemployment in Marin, which ranked second-lowest in the state, rose to 2.3 percent in December, up from 2.2 percent in November but down from 2.9 percent a year ago. San Mateo County had the lowest jobless rate, remaining at 2.1 percent.

The North Bay Business Journal contributed to this story.