Sonoma County unemployment tumbles to 18-year low in March

Unemployment in Sonoma County dropped to 2.8 percent in March, matching an 18-year low, but job creation slowed for the second consecutive month.

The local economy has created 3,900 jobs over the past year, boosting employment to 213,100, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. It was the smallest annual increase since last November.

The county had the fifth-lowest jobless rate in the state, down from 3 percent in February and 3.6 percent a year ago. Unemployment was 4.2 percent statewide in March and 4.1 percent for the entire country.

Education, manufacturing and construction have added jobs over the past year. Government was the only sector to see a large decline in number of jobs over the last year.

In Mendocino County, the jobless rate fell to 4.3 percent in March, down from 4.6 percent in February and 5.3 percent a year ago. Employers have added ?440 jobs over the past year, increasing employment to 33,010.

In Lake County, the jobless rate dropped to 5.5 percent in March, down from 5.7 percent in February and 6.4 percent a year ago. Employment has remained essentially flat over the last year, dipping to 16,790 in March, but the number of unemployed job-seekers actively looking for work tumbled 15 percent during the 12-month period.

In Napa County, the jobless rate fell to 3.2 percent in March, down from 3.5 percent in February and 4.0 percent a year ago. Employment levels are unchanged over the last year, at 76,400 in March, but the number of unemployed job-seekers actively looking for work plunged 23 percent during the 12-month period.

Napa County saw small gains in farm employment, leisure and hospitality and small losses in trade transportation and utilities, professional services and financial activities. The largest segment to suffer a loss in the March report was educational and health services, which shed 500 jobs, the state reported.

A state analysis shows the top five employers with the most job ads in March were: St. Joseph Health, Napa Valley Unified School District, Auberge du Soleil, Target and Wyndham Worldwide.

The North Bay Business Journal contributed to this report.