THE JOBLESS rate in Orange County dropped from 4.1 percent in October to 3.7 percent in November.

The unemployment rate in Orange County dropped in November to 3.7 percent, down from 4.1 percent in October, according to a report issued Friday by the state Department of Employment Development.

For California, the jobless rate is put at 5 percent, with the national rate at 4.4 percent.

In Orange County, employment rose by a net of 9,200 yards, according to the EDD. The largest increase came from trade, transportation and utilities, adding 6,700 jobs. Most of that – 6,200 jobs – came from normal seasonal gains in retail trade.

Another increase was reported in professional and business services, a jump of 2,200 jobs. The biggest decline was in construction, which saw a drop of 2,100 jobs. Also down were financial services (600 jobs) and educational and health services (400 jobs).

Comparing November 2016 to November 2015, total nonfarm employment increased in Orange County by 38,300 jobs, or 2.4 percent, with the biggest part of that in professional and business services (10,400 jobs). The biggest decline was in manufacturing, which saw a loss of 500 jobs.