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Politics & Government

Unemployment Continues to Drop in Murrieta, County

The unemployment rate in Murrieta dipped in September, with 2,200 people reportedly out of work.

Murrieta's unemployment rate fell to 7.9 percent last month—one-tenth of a percentage above the national rate of 7.8 percent—based on preliminary numbers released Friday by state officials.

The city's non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate in September, based on preliminary estimates, declined five-tenths of a percentage point from August, when the rate was 8.4 percent, according to the California Employment Development Department.

At least 2,200 people were unemployed in Murrieta last month, compared to the city's unemployment rate of 9.2 percent—or 2,600 people—a year ago.

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In neighboring Temecula, the preliminary jobless rate in September was 8.2 percent, and 9. 5 one year ago.

Menifee saw an unemployment rate of 12.8 in September, which was above the Riverside County rate of 12 percent.

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All but a few sectors in the county expanded payrolls, according to state data.

The county rate fell almost nearly a full percentage point from 12.7 percent last Month, and was more than two points below the level of a year ago, when unemployment stood at 13.9 percent.

Riverside County's civilian labor force numbered 937,400 people, with 112,300 out of work, according to figures.

The city of Cabazon had the highest unemployment rate countywide, at 29.4 percent, followed by Mecca at 23.7 percent and Homeland at 23.2 percent, according to the EDD.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in September was 11.6 percent, down from 12.3 percent the prior month.

Bi-county data indicated that payrolls expanded in all but the manufacturing and hospitality sectors, which shed a total 1,000 jobs in September. Another 800 jobs were cut in non-categorized industries.

The professional and business services sector posted the largest increase -- 1,200 positions -- while the number of jobs added in the remaining sectors, including agriculture, also totaled around 1,200.

The state's non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate was 9.7 percent, more than a percentage point higher than at the national level.

—Maggie Avants contributed to this report.

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