Solano County Unemployment Rate Drops, But Labor Force Shrinks

The Solano County unemployment rate dropped in May to 11.3 percent from 11.5 percent in April, according to a report released today by the California Employment Development Department.

But the news is not necessarily good.

According to EDD statistics and labor market consultant Linda Wong, the labor force is smaller than it was in previous months, down from 211,200 in April to only 209,800 in May.

Construction jobs gained by 200 in May — for the fourth consecutive time, Wong said — compared to a much larger share of jobs lost in government and the financial services sector. Private educational services and health services dropped by 300 jobs alone. Construction, it seems, was the only bright spot.

Throughout California the jobless rate dropped from 11.8 percent in April to 11.7 percent in May, department officials said.

But in the Bay Area, the highest employment rate this month was once again in
Solano County.  Marin County had the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 7.4 percent.

National unemployment increased last month, reaching 9.1 percent.

The state's unemployment rate is based on a federal survey of 5,500 California households and does not include agricultural jobs.

By the numbers:

Solano County: 11.3 percent

Benicia 7.1 percent

Dixon 9.1 percent

Fairfield 12.3 percent

Rio Vista 8.5 percent

Suisun City 11.6 percent

Vacaville 8.4 percent

Vallejo 13.8 percent

Bay City News Service contributed to this article.