Riverside County's unemployment rate fell nearly half a percentage point last month as all but a couple of sectors of the regional economy added jobs or were unchanged, state officials reported this week.
The county's non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate in December, based on preliminary estimates, was 11.1 percent, compared to 11.5 percent in November, according to the California Employment Development Department.
The rate was more than a percentage point below the level of a year ago, when unemployment stood at 12.4 percent.
The civilian labor force numbered 946,700 people, with 104,800 out of work, according to figures.
The city of Cabazon had the highest unemployment rate countywide, at 27.6 percent, followed by Mecca at 22.2 percent and Homeland at 21.7 percent, according to the EDD.
The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in December was 10.9 percent, down from 11.3 percent the prior month.
Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded significantly in trade, transportation and utilities, which added 3,600 jobs.
The farm sector, educational and health services and the the leisure and hospitality industry posted moderate gains, altogether totaling more than 3,000 positions.
Payrolls shrank in construction, as well as professional and business services, which shed a combined 1,800 jobs, according to data.
The public sector shrank by 1,200 jobs, reflecting holiday breaks at schools and other government institutions.
The state's non-seasonally-adjusted jobless rate was 9.7 percent.
