Construction Surge Cuts Jobless Rate in County

Fueled in part by the first monthly increase in construction employment since June, 1990, Orange County’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% in April, from March’s 4.8%.

The construction increase that added 1,100 jobs to area payrolls can probably be traced to increased hiring for some existing projects by several builders, said Christine Reed, executive director of the county Building Industry Assn.

Since April, 1990, the total number of construction jobs in the county has shrunk 15.4%, to 59,900 from 70,800, according to figures compiled by Eleanor Jordan, county labor market analyst for the state Employment Development Department.

The local building industry has been hurt by high housing prices, which made homes unaffordable for many buyers, and by the recession.

The EDD’s monthly jobless report pegs the number of unemployed workers in the county at 62,600. That’s down from 64,800 in March but up from 41,000 in April, 1990, when the jobless rate was 3%.

The local jobless rate is based on the number of county residents who have lost jobs, regardless of what county those jobs are in. The total job figure is based on a count of people working at businesses in the county, regardless of where they live.

Other industries posting job gains from March included agriculture, up 500; services, up 900, and government, up 800.

Manufacturing workers lost 1,600 jobs in April, and retail trade lost 1,100 jobs.

For the 12 months since April, 1990, construction employment in the county was down by 10,900 jobs, while manufacturing lost 5,500 jobs, mainly in electronic instruments, transportation equipment and wood products and furniture manufacturing, Jordan said.

Service employment grew by 4,100 jobs during the year; government employment was up 2,300 jobs; computer and office equipment manufacturing added 1,100 payroll positions, and textile and apparel manufacturing added 1,000 jobs.

Unemployment Rate in Orange County

Nov., 1986: 3.9%

April, 1991: 4.6%

Source: California Employment Development Department