County jobless rate highest in three years

Sonoma County’s jobless rate hit 5.2 percent in March, matching its highest point in more than three years as the nation’s economic slump continued, state labor analysts reported Friday.

Unemployment was a full point higher than the year-ago mark of 4.2 percent.

The county lost 800 government jobs in the past year, as local, state and federal agencies cut programs. There are also 800 fewer jobs in construction, finance and tourism, according to the state Employment Development Department.

Sonoma County saw year-over-year job gains in retail, business and professional services, manufacturing and health care.

County unemployment was 5.2 percent in January and dipped to a revised 5 percent in February.

California’s unadjusted jobless rate was 6.4 percent in March. U.S. unemployment was 5.2 percent last month.