State Unemployment Rate Dips While More Local Workers Seek Benefits

California’s unemployment rate dipped slightly, but still remains far higher than the national average.

The state Employment Development Department on Friday reported that California’s jobless rate was 12.4 percent in January. That was down slightly from 12.5 percent in December.

The state’s jobless rate has been at or above 12 percent for 17 months. Also Friday, the U.S. Labor Department reported that the national unemployment rate had fallen to 8.9 percent, the lowest level since April 2009.

California added 12,500 nonfarm jobs in January, bringing the state’s total to nearly 14 million. Gains were seen in five of 11 sectors surveyed, including construction, manufacturing and government.

Education and financial, health and business services reported job losses. About 2.2 million Californians remain out of work still.

In Riverside County, we saw a slight increase, jumping from 14.2 percent in December to 14.3 percent in January. San Bernardino County also saw a jump from 13.7 percent in December to 14.1 percent in January.