Unemployment Rate Ticks Down in L.A. County

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County dropped to 11.6 percent in April, down from 11.8 percent in March, the state Employment Development Department has announced.

The 11.6 percent unemployment rate was below the 12.2 percent rate in April 2011, according to the state agency's report on Friday.

In La Cañada, the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent as of April 30, according to EDD figures. With a labor force of 10,200 people and an employment number of 9,800, that would equate to about 400 folks without a job.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in April, down from 8.1 percent in March.

California's jobless rate was 10.9 percent in April, down from 11 percent in March and down from April 2011, when the rate was 11.8 percent, according to the employment department.

The comparable estimates for the nation were 8.1 percent in April, 8.2 percent in March and 9 percent a year ago.

Total non-farm employment decreased by 7,100 jobs in Los Angeles County between March and April to reach 3.8 million. The manufacturing sector recorded the largest month-over-month decline, losing 3,200 jobs.

A total of 569,000 people were unemployed in April in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of about 4.9 million.

Statewide, 2 million people were out of work, down slightly from the previous month.

Editor Donna Evans contributed to this report.