The unemployment rate in Riverside County dropped slightly last month to 7 percent, with job losses in trade, transportation and utilities offset by gains in education, leisure and hospitality, state labor market officials reported today.

February unemployment was one-tenth of a percentage point less than in January, when the county’s jobless rate was 7.1 percent, according to revised figures published by the California Economic Development Department.

The county’s non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate one year ago was 5.6 percent, EDD reported.

For Riverside and San Bernardino counties combined, the unemployment rate dipped one-tenth of a percentage point in February to 6.6 percent, according to EDD.

Bi-county data showed a net loss of 300 jobs last month.

The sectors posting the biggest declines included trade, transportation, utilities and construction, which altogether reported a loss of 4,000 jobs, according to EDD.

For the second consecutive month, the farm sector reported losses totaling around 1,900.

The leisure and hospitality industry posted the largest employment gains in February, expanding payrolls by 1,900 jobs, EDD said.
T
he educational services sector — particularly colleges, universities and professional schools — added 1,700 positions, according to EDD.

The total size of the civilian labor force in the bi-county area in January was 1.8 million, with 118,900 unemployed.

The state’s non-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent, compared to 5.2 percent for the nation, EDD said.

—From news services

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