THE JOBLESS rate in Orange County dropped to 4.4 percent, from 4.6 percent, according to the EDD.

Joblessness in Orange County fell from 4.6 percent in July to 4.4 percent in August, according to the state Employment Development Department. In a report issued Friday, total nonfarm employment rose by 2,200 jobs over that period.

Orange County’s 4.4 unemployment rate compares with California’s figure of 5.6 percent and the nation’s 5 percent for the same period.

Most of the job growth was in the area of professional and business services, where 2,100 jobs were added. Construction was also up sharply, by 1,800 jobs, and education and health services jobs climbed by 1200.

The biggest decline came from the loss of 2,500 positions in government, due primarily to seasonal cutbacks in education as classrooms closed for the summer recess.

Comparing the county figures for August 2016 to August 2015, employment was up by 2.5 percent, or 39,000 jobs. The biggest growth was in professional and business services (including scientific and technical areas) of 11,400, with 10,200 jobs gained in construction.