Jobless Rate Declines

Sonora, CA — The unemployment rate in the Mother Lode and across California dropped slightly last month.

Calaveras County’s unemployment rate in February was 16.1 percent, compared to 16.5 percent in January. Tuolumne County’s jobless rate in February was 14.6 percent, compared to 14.8 percent in January.

The state’s unemployment rate dropped from 12.4 percent to 12.2 percent. The sectors of logging, manufacturing, transportation, trade and government added jobs over the past month. The fields of education, health, financial and hospitality all reported a decline in jobs. The statistics were compiled by the California Employment Development Department.