County unemployment dips below 3 percent

County unemployment broke below 3 percent in April, coming in at 2.9 percent, down from a revised 3.2 percent in March.

The April rate was down from 3.9 percent a year ago, and down from the April unadjusted rate of 3.8 percent for the state and 3.7 percent for the nation

Professional and business services jobs reached a highest-ever total of 244,800, up 4,500 from March. Construction added 2000 jobs — higher than normal. Once again, tiny Bostonia near El Cajon had the highest rate in the county in April, 5.8 percent.

From April of last year, nonfarm jobs rose by 32,100, or 2.2 percent. Professional and business services jobs rose by a robust 6.1 percent over the year.