The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County rose slightly in the month of October but continued to show an overall improvement by remaining well below last year’s level, according to the latest report from the Economic Development Department.
The county’s unadjusted seasonal unemployment rate for October came in at 13.9 percent, up from a revised rate of 13.4 percent in September.
In 2011 the unemployment rate in October for Stanislaus County was at 15.3 percent and the estimate for this year was put at 15.4 percent.
“We have seen most Central Valley county’s unemployment rates continue to move down below their year ago estimates,” said EDD labor market analyst Sheila Urdesich. “This appears to be a positive trend as the state recovers from the economic downturn.”
All but two sectors in Stanislaus County have seen job growth between last year and this year, with manufacturing leading the way with an estimated 1,300 new positions.
The two sectors not reporting year over job growth were farming, which is down by an estimated 100 positions and government, which is down by approximately 400 positions. For the month of October the government sector added 700 jobs, all within education, the EDD reported.
While manufacturing is up for the year, it took a sharp decrease in October, with a cut of an approximate 2,100 positions, most of which were in the food manufacturing sector and can be attributable to the harvest season coming to an end for a number of agricultural commodities.
For the month of October manufacturing hiring was down 9.1 percent, but is up 6.6 percent for the year, according to the EDD.
Hiring for the holidays helped the retail sector add an estimated 300 jobs for the month. Retail hiring in Stanislaus County is up 1.5 percent for the year.
In Merced County the unemployment rate for October came in at 14.7 percent, up slightly from the 14.5 percent rate recorded in September. San Joaquin County had an unemployment rate of 13.6 percent for October, up from 13.4 percent the month before.
California’s unemployment rate decreased to 10.1 percent in October. In September, the state’s unemployment rate was 10.2 percent, and in October 2011, the unemployment rate was 11.5 percent.
The U.S. unemployment rate increased in October to 7.9 percent.
In Turlock the unemployment rate increased to 10.6 percent from 10.2 percent the month before. Denair’s rate grew from 7.4 percent in September to 7.6 in October. Hughson’s rate took a larger jump, going from 17.6 percent in September to 18.2 percent in October. Keyes had an unemployment rate of 24.4 percent, up from 23.7 percent.
According to EDD data, the Stanislaus County employers posting the most help wanted ads for October were: E. & J. Gallo Winery – 187; Sutter Health – 94; Kaiser Permanente – 54; Supplemental Health Care – 53; Doctors Medical Center of Modesto - 51; Stanislaus County Office of Education – 33; CyberCoders – 29; Macy's – 29; Modesto City Schools – 29; and Tenet – 28.
