Stanislaus County unemployment rate up slightly

MODESTO -- Unemployment went up slightly in Stanislaus County for March, which is traditionally the highest rate for the year.

The jobless rate ticked up to 18.4 percent in March from 18.1 percent in February, according to the state Employment Development Department. But the rate was down from the same time a year ago for the third consecutive month.

California’s unemployment rate dipped slightly for March, hitting its lowest figure since September 2009. The drop to 12 percent was third straight monthly decline for the state’s jobless rate.

The state’s jobless rate for March 2010 was 12.4 percent. California has added 155,900 nonfarm payroll jobs since September.