La Mesa Jobless Rate Down Almost a Full Point in the Past Year

La Mesa’s unemployment rate fell almost a full percentage point in the past year, declining from 7.5 percent in February 2012 to 6.6 percent last month, according to figures released Friday.

In February 2011, the Jewel of the Hills' jobless rate was 8.6 percent, said the state Employment Development Department.

About 2,300 La Mesan's were out of work in February in a labor force of 35,000, the state said. January’s adjusted unemployment rate was 7.2 percent, so a steady decline in unemployment is evident.

In the neighboring communities, Spring Valley saw an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent for February 2013, down from 10.9 percent over the same time a year ago. Casa de Oro-Mt. Helix saw a jobless rate of 7.5 percent, also down from last year, when it was 8.9 percent.

The unemployment rate in San Diego County last month was 8 percent, the lowest figure since December 2008, the state said.

February’s rate compares to an adjusted 8.6 percent in January and 9.4 percent in February 2012, the agency said.

The agency said the statewide unemployment rate was a seasonally unadjusted 9.7 percent last month, while the U.S. figure was 8.1 percent.

Job growth in the past month was seen in restaurants and bars, which added more than 2,000 jobs; administrative and employment services and state
government, according to the agency.

The retail sector, however, lost 2,400 positions, according to the agency.

About 128,600 county residents were without work last month, out of a civilian labor force of 1.6 million. Nearly 21,000 more San Diegans worked last month compared to January, the state figures showed.

—City News Service contributed to this report.