Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in April, unchanged from the month before, but down from 6.7 one year ago, according to data released today by the state Employment Development Department.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also announced it is re-examining the data used for local labor force statistics earlier this year. The revision will not affect April or March data, but could change labor market data for the months of January 2000 through February of 2005, affecting year-over-year comparisons.
The April figures show that the county added 61,000 new civilian jobs to its total labor force of 4.6 million, up 1.3 percent over March, and 3.6 percent higher than in April 2004.
April’s statewide unemployment rate was also flat at 5.4 percent, and down from 6.4 percent a year ago.
Nearly every industry in the county experienced year-over-year job growth, except manufacturing and government, both of which continued long-term declines in employment. Manufacturing in Los Angeles County, which employed 479,100, was down 0.2 percent in April from the previous month and was 2 percent lower than April 2004.
Seasonal hiring boosted job gains in several industries as they built their labor forces in preparation for the summer. Leisure and hospitality added 3,700 jobs for a total of 379,900 in April, 1 percent more than in March, and 2.2 percent more than a year ago.
Within that sector, arts entertainment and recreation added 2,100 new jobs last month for a total of 71,000, 3 percent more than in March and 2.7 percent more than one year ago.
Information, which includes the entertainment industry, publishing, broadcasting and other media, added 3,300 jobs in April, 1.5 percent more than in March and 2.6 percent more than in April 2004, almost entirely due to hiring in motion pictures and sound recording. Those industries added 3,600 new jobs in April for a total of 138,500, 2.7 more than in March and 4.8 percent more than a year ago, slightly offset by declining employment in other information businesses.
