THE JOBLESS rate in Orange County dropped from 4.3 percent in August to 4.1 percent in September.

Unemployment in Orange County dropped in September, as 13,500 jobs were added to the rolls, according to the state Employment Development Department.

In its monthly report issued Friday, the jobless percentage declined to 4.1 percent from an adjusted 4.3 percent in August. Historically, 4 percent has been considered “full employment.” The OC rate compares to the September 2015 estimate of 4.2 percent and a current California rate of 5.3 percent and 4.8 percent nationally.

The EDD report states that the biggest increase came from employment in the public sector, with government adding 8,500 jobs (8,100 in local government) and educational and health services reporting a gain of 4000 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality jobs rose by 2000, but business and professional services showed a loss of 1,300 jobs, led by a 700-job loss in construction.

Over the past year, total non-farm employment in Orange County has risen by 43,900 jobs, or 2.8 percent, according to he EDD.