OC Unemployment Rate Falls

The unemployment rate in Orange County fell to 5.9% last month, down from a revised 6.2% in April, and below the year-ago estimate of 14.9%, the California Employment Development Department said.

That compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.5% for California and 5.5% for the nation during the same period.

Between April and May, total non-farm employment in Orange County increased from 1.55 million to 1.57 million, a gain of 19,100 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality added the most jobs of any OC sector with a gain of 14,500, accounting for 76% of the total month-over gain.

Employment also increased in five other sectors, including professional and business services as well as manufacturing and government.