Business & Tech

Unemployment Rate Drops in Murrieta, County

The unemployment rate in Murrieta during August was slightly below that of July, as was Riverside County's.

With gains in almost every sector of the regional economy, Riverside County's unemployment rate dropped last month below 11 percent, state officials reported Friday.

The county's non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate in August, based on preliminary estimates, was 10.8 percent, compared to 11.1 percent in July, according to the California Employment Development Department.   

The rate was 2.2 percentage points below the level of August 2012, when unemployment stood at 13 percent.   

In Murrieta, 7.1 percent were unemployed during August, preliminary figures showed. This was down from 7.3 percent in July, but up from 6 percent in May.

Cities neighboring Murrieta saw a similar fluctuation in jobless rates. Temecula experienced a preliminary unemployment rate of 7.4 percent in August, 7.6 percent in July, compared to 6.2 percent in May, EDD reported.

The region's civilian labor force last month numbered 937,100 people, with 101,600 out of work, the EDD's figures show. 

The unincorporated community of Cabazon had the highest unemployment rate countywide, at 27.1 percent, followed by Mecca at 21.8 percent andHomeland at 21.3 percent, according to the EDD.   

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in August was 10.4 percent, down from 11 percent the prior month.   

Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded or remained unchanged in all but three sectors. The public sector showed the most growth, adding 5,400 positions, mainly in educational services as teachers and other school staffers returned from summer recess.   

The construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities,business services and health services sectors altogether added 9,900 positions,according to the EDD.   

The farming sector posted the sharpest decline last month, shedding2,600 positions. The leisure and hospitality industry and uncategorized services reported 1,200 jobs lost in August.   

The state's non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate last month was 8.8percent, according to the EDD.

—City News Service and Maggie Avants contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here