Placer County Unemployment Dips to 3.4%

Unemployment rate ties low mark for last six years

Placer County”s unemployment rate dropped for the fourth consecutive month during October, matching the lowest level posted over the last six years. Placer”s 3.4 percent rate was below the 3.9 percent posted by the four-county Sacramento metropolitan area, the 4.2 percent recorded for California as a whole and the 4.1 percent for the nation.

Unemployment in Placer County has not dropped below 3.4 percent since the 3.0 percent reported for December 2000. It hit the 3.4 percent mark in May 2001 and December 2005.  ‘Last month’s unemployment rate is very good news because it’s a clear sign that Placer County”s economy remains strong,’ Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Santucci said. ‘It’s also reassuring because it demonstrates that job growth is keeping pace with population growth in Placer County.’ 

‘The county has added 1,400 new jobs over the past year, mostly in health services, professional and business services, and the leisure and hospitality sector,’ explained county Economic Development Director David Snyder. 

The California Employment Development Department’s preliminary report for last month estimates Placer County had 5,600 unemployed workers out of a total civilian workforce of 165,400 people.’We’re pleased that the county’s unemployment rate is so low, but we will continue to ensure that employment services are available to those who need them,’ County Executive Officer Thomas M. Miller said. ‘Such help is available through our Office of Economic Development and other agencies in the Business Advantage Network. The network does an outstanding job helping match job seekers with employers, and offers a wide range of other services that are free to both local job seekers and businesses.’

Last month’s 3.4 percent jobless rate left Placer County tied with Nevada and Santa Barbara counties for the sixth-lowest rate among California’s 58 counties. Napa County’s 3.0 percent was the lowest and Marin and Orange counties tied for second at 3.1 percent. Next came San Luis Obispo and San Mateo counties at 3.3 percent. Placer County”s 3.4 percent was down from the 3.6 percent recorded for September and the 3.8 percent reported for October 2005.

California Unemployment Rate By County