Poway Unemployment Rate Hits Three-Year Low

The unemployment rate in Poway last month dropped by half a percent, reaching its lowest level in three years, according to the state’s Employment Development Department.

April’s rate was 5.2 percent, down from 5.7 percent in March. The last time the unemployment rate in Poway was at 5.2 percent was in April 2009, after steadily rising for a year. In April 2008, the rate in Poway was a miniscule 2.8 percent.

The numbers for the county and state improved last month as well, although they are still significantly higher than Poway’s. San Diego County’s unemployment rate fell almost a full percentage point from March, dropping from 9.6 percent to 8.7 percent. California’s rate in March was 10.5 percent, higher than the 7.7 percent for the nation during the same time period, according to the EDD.

All figures were not adjusted to reflect seasonal hiring patterns.

The county gained 2,600 nonfarm jobs in March, and added an additional 300 agricultural jobs. Six nonfarm sectors added jobs in the county, led by professional and business services, which added 1,400 jobs. Leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs, and financial activities added 1,000.

Of the four sectors in the county that shed jobs, government lost the most at 1,100, followed by the 900 jobs lost in manufacturing.

The EDD reported Friday that there were 552,163 people receiving unemployment benefits in California last month, compared with 570,089 in March. New claims for unemployment in April totaled 63,212, up from 55,393 in March.