The unemployment rate in Riverside County dropped in March as payroll gains topped losses throughout the regional economy, according to figures released Friday by the California Employment Development Department.
The countywide jobless rate in March, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 5.1%, compared to 5.4% in February.
According to figures, the March rate equaled the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment also stood at 5.1%.
EDD posted its most recent data outside of the agency’s usual schedule due to an annual statistical revision process done in concert with the U.S. Department of Labor known as “benchmarking,” which is intended to improve the accuracy of results. The process will wrap up this month, at which point jobless numbers for the last year will be fully updated and available.
The latest agency estimates indicated that Cherry Valley had the highest unemployment rate within the county during March at 9.5%, followed by Blythe at 9.4%, Coachella at 7.7%, Rancho Mirage and March Air Reserve Base, each at 7.5%, and Cabazon and Hemet, each at 7.1%.
The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was also 5.1%, down from 5.3% in February, the EDD said.
Bi-county data indicated that payrolls expanded by the widest margin in healthcare services, where 6,400 positions were added in March.
Additional gains were recorded in the agricultural, construction, information technology and public sectors, which altogether grew by an aggregate 3,500 positions, figures showed. Miscellaneous unclassified industries similarly posted an increase of 200 jobs.
Payrolls declined by the largest amount in the broad category designated trade, transportation and utilities, where an estimated 2,600 jobs were lost in March, mainly in warehousing. The financial services, hospitality, manufacturing and professional business services sectors sank by a total 2,500 positions, according to EDD.
The mining sector was unchanged.
The statewide non-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in March was 5.2%.
