March Unemployment At 11 Year Low In Sacramento

The Sacramento area jobless rate has hit an 11-year low. The unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in March.

"The last time we saw an unemployment rate this low during a February-March time change was in March 2006 when the rate was also at 5.0 percent," says Liz Bosley with the state Employment Development Department.

Compared to February, unemployment declined by .1 percent. It dropped even further from a year ago. 

"Compared to last year it declined by .6 percentage points," says Bosley.

Combined employment in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties went up by 5,500 from February to March. Industries that saw job growth include: local and state government, healthcare, education and construction.

"Everything that we've seen, as far as any employment gains for the industries that gained employment over the month, looks pretty typical for this time of year," says Bosley.

She says industries that lost jobs in March include: professional and business services; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; and information.