By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
County unemployment rate drops for first time in nearly half a year
jobless on your own

For the first time since September, the unemployment rate of Stanislaus County did not rise last month, according to preliminary data provided by the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD).

In March, Stanislaus County’s unemployment rate was 7.4%, translating to roughly 18,600 individuals without work. It’s a decrease of over 1,200 since February. 

The local statistics compare to those at the state and national level. Last month, the United States had a 3.9% unemployment rate while California posted a figure of 5.3%. The state’s rate was an improvement of about 0.3% since the end of February, but remains the worst unemployment rate in the nation. In total, there are approximately 1.32 million Californians still unemployed, according to the EDD.

Ceres had a jobless rate of 8.3 percent in March, translating to roughly 1,800 without work. By contrast, Turlock had a rate of 5.6 percent, or about 1,900 individuals without work in March. Hughson had a 10.5 percent unemployment rate, or about 400 folks without work. Keyes saw 5 percent without work, or about 100 persons.

Stanislaus County saw growth in four different sectors: health care and social assistance, local government education services, goods producing and farming. The local government education sector grew the biggest by adding over 500 workers. Over 400 healthcare and social assistance workers were hired. Farming and production services, meanwhile, each hired over 200 last month. Some of the employment gains were nullified by the manufacturing industry and county government sector each letting go of 100 workers.

Over 500 positions across state, county and local governments were filled, while the private education, health services and retail trade each added 100 workers.

Despite there being an increase in health care hires, the demand remains strong in the county. There are currently 1,200 healthcare and social assistance positions open in Stanislaus County.

Retail positions are also looking to get filled, with currently being 773 online job listings in Stanislaus County. Manufacturing is also an in-demand job with 557 positions open in Stanislaus County.

Those on the hunt for a job can find resources at www.edd.ca.gov/en/jobs.