Orange County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in May from a revised 3.7% in April, and was below 3.7% in May last year, according to the state’s Employment Development Department.
The state’s unemployment rate was 4.7%, while the U.S.’s was 4.1%.
Nonfarm OC employment rose to 1.69 million, up 5,500 jobs.
The sector of leisure and hospitality added the most, 3,900 jobs, led by accommodations and food services, 2,100 jobs.
Six other sectors added 2,800 jobs, led by construction, 1,100.
Three sectors contracted, led by professional and business services, down 800.
The state’s nonfarm jobs rose by 3,100 in May, to a total of 18.2 million.
