Santee Sees Slight Rise in March Unemployment Rate

Despite a gain in the number of jobs, the unemployment rate in Santee rose to 8 percent in March, up from , but down from 8.5 percent in March 2011, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday.

Lower rate than the county and city of San Diego and ties with La Mesa for the lowest rate in East County.

The unemployment rate in San Diego County rose similar to Santee, 9.5 percent in March, up from 9.4 percent in February but down from 10.1 percent in March of last year.

This compares to 11.5 percent for California and 8.4 percent for the nation, according to the EDD. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.

The increase of in job availability last month was offset by a larger labor pool, according to the state.

The agency reported large gains in leisure and hospitality in the county -- especially in restaurants and other food services, and government last month.

Over the past year, the biggest job-gaining sectors in the area were education and health services; trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and professional and business services.

Santee's civilian labor force of not quite 33,400 people in March was an increase of 100 from the previous month, and 200 more than March 2011, according to EDD data.

Just over 2,700 Santeeans were listed as unemployed last month, 100 more than February but 100 less than March of last year, the agency reported.

-City News Service