After three consecutive months of rising unemployment rates in Stanislaus and Merced counties, the statistics provided by the California Employment Development Department finally started to improve during April.

Last month, Stanislaus County’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.2% from a 7% rate in March. Similarly, the unemployment rate in Merced County fell from 11.3% to 9.7% in the month’s span. This comes as the state unemployment rate for April was reported as 4.3% and the nationwide rate came in at 3.1%, both 5% lower than in March.

In Stanislaus County, leading the charge was the “leisure and hospitality” industry, which grew by 300 jobs. Behind it were the construction and retail sectors, which gained 200 jobs each in April. Meanwhile, county government jobs represented the biggest single industry losses at 100.

Ceres’ jobless rate came in at 7 percent with the state estimating that 1,500 Ceres residents were without a job. By contrast, Turlock’s unemployment rate came in as 4.2% representing 1,400 unemployed individuals. Keyes also had 100 unemployed for a 4.2% rate. Hughson had an 8.8% unemployment rate representing 300 people without work. 

Still in high demand for workers in both counties is the health care and social assistance sector. In Stanislas County, it is the most in-demand industry with 2,499 total openings. Of that number, the positions in most need are registered nurses, as there are currently 674 online job ads.

Coming in right behind the health care and social assistance sector in Stanislaus County is the retail industry with 1,051 total openings.