LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The new year is starting off with a slightly improving employment picture, according to a Friday report.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nationwide unemployment for January was 4.9 percent, down from the 5 percent reported in December. The January 2015 nationwide unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.
It's the lowest national unemployment rate since the 4.9 percent rate reported in February 2008. This also is the lowest January unemployment rate since 2008, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The report showed that job gains occurred in several industries, led by retail trade, food services and drinking places, health care and manufacturing.
At the same time, employment declined in private educational services, transportation and warehousing, and mining.
On the local and statewide levels, the California Employment Development Department is not scheduled to release January unemployment data until March 4.
However, the unemployment rate in Lake County in December was 7.3 percent, up from 7.2 percent in November and below the December 2014 estimate of 8.6 percent, the Employment Development Department said.
California's unadjusted unemployment rate for December was 5.8, down slightly from November's 5.7 percent and much improved over the 7.1 percent California recorded in December 2014, according to state records.
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Report: Nationwide unemployment down slightly in January
- Elizabeth Larson
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