Poway Unemployment Rate Up Slightly

The unemployment rate in Poway rose slightly for the second month in a row in March, but was still well below the rates for the county, state and nation, according to figures released by the state Employment Development Department.

The unemployment rate in Poway rose from 5.6 percent to 5.7 percent last month, and has gone up .1 percent for four months in a row. In March 2011, the rate was 6 percent in Poway, according to the EDD. The figures were not adjusted to reflect seasonal hiring trends.

The size of Poway’s labor force rose by 100 in March to 28,500, according to EDD figures.

In the county, the unadjusted unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in March, up .1 percent from February. California’s unadjusted rate in March was 11.5 percent, and the nation’s was 8.4 percent, according to the EDD.

San Diego County added 2,900 non-farm jobs in March, and agricultural jobs increased by 500, a 5.5 percent increase. The hospitality industry added the most jobs last month, with 1,800 more in restaurants and bars, and 1,000 more in arts, entertainment and recreation.

Government was one of five other sectors that added jobs in the county last month, with 2,000 new positions, including 1,900 in local government, mostly in education. The federal government added 100 jobs in the county, and no changes were reported in state government jobs, according to the EDD.

Of the four sectors in the county that posted job declines in March, professional and business services had the biggest loss, with 2,900 fewer jobs. Administration and support, and waste services contributed about 90 percent of those losses, according to the EDD.  Professional, scientific and technical services declined by 300 jobs in the county.

Between March 2011 and March 2012, San Diego County added 6,700 non-farm jobs, but shed 1,400 agricultural jobs. Four industries added jobs over the 12-month period, according to the EDD, with education and health services gaining the most, adding 3,700 jobs.

Of the sectors that lost jobs in the county between March 2011 and March 2012, manufacturing lost the most at 1,500 and government lost 1,200 jobs.