Orange County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in April, down from 4.2% a year ago and 3.8% in March, the state Employment Development Department said Friday.
Total nonfarm payroll is up 1.5%, or 21,500 jobs, since April 2004.
The professional and business services sector reported the largest payroll gain in the past year, up by 8,800 jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities employment rose by 4,200 jobs. About 93% of the gain was in the retail sector, led by clothing and accessory stores.
Construction reported an increase of 3,500 jobs in the period.
The information sector was the only laggard, losing 400 jobs. The telecommunications sector continued to lead decliners.
The state unemployment rate was 5.2% in April, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.9%.
