Orange County’s unemployment rate fell to 2.7% in December, down from 3.2% a year earlier, the state Economic Development Department said Friday.
November’s unemployment rate was 3%. OC added 4,200 jobs in December compared to November’s total.
The county has added 11,000 jobs to total nonfarm payroll of 1,455,300, versus a year earlier. The downside: It’s the smallest yearly increase for December recorded in the past 14 years, according to the department.
The largest increase in the past year was recorded by companies in the professional and business services sector. The group added 4,500 jobs, with most gains coming from temporary agencies.
Travel and tourism added 2,500 jobs versus a year earlier, while the manufacturing sector gained 300 workers.
Meanwhile, construction companies reported a 300-worker decline,the third consecutive month of declines. Much of the decline was due to bad weather, the department said.
California’s unemployment rate is 5.4% while the nation’s is 5.1%.
