LAKE COUNTY – Unemployment in Lake County rose in January, according to the most recent Employment Development Department (EDD) report.

EDD reported Lake County's January unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, up 1.3 percent from December, but still below the January 2006 rate of 8.6 percent.

The 8.5-percent rate compares to a seasonally unadjusted rate of 5.3 percent for California and 5.0 percent for the nation, EDD reported.

The county's unemployment rate ties it for 39^th place among the state's 58 counties.

Other surrounding county rates included 6.4 percent for Mendocino and 4.3 percent for Sonoma, according to the EDD.

Orange and Marin Counties tied for the lowest rate in the state at 3.6 percent, EDD noted, and Colusa again had the highest with 19.1 percent.

Total industry employment grew by 200 jobs (1.4 percent) between January 2006 and January 2007, ending the year-over period with 14,180 jobs, EDD reported.

Job growth occurred in the following categories, according to the EDD report: farm, natural resources, mining and construction, financial activities, professional and business services, private educational and health services, leisure and hospitality, and other services.

Job losses were noted by EDD in manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; and government.

Industry job gainers outnumbered decliners for the year-over period with natural resources, mining, construction, and leisure and hospitality leading gainers with 70 each, the EDD noted. Other services added 50 jobs and private educational and health services increased by 20 jobs. Farm, information, financial activities, and professional and business services each gained 10 jobs.

Trade, transportation and utilities dropped 30 jobs, according to the EDD, and manufacturing and government each declined 10 for the period.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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