THE JOBLESS rate in Orange County fell from 3.9 percent in January to 3.7 percent in February.

Unemployment dropped in Orange County to 3.7 percent in February, according to a report issued Friday by the state Employment Development Department. That’s down from 3.9 percent in January and compares to 4.1 percent in February 2016.

The national jobless rate is 4.9 percent, with the California figure at 5.2 percent.

Non-farm employment in Orange County rose by 11,000 jobs in February, according to the EDD. The biggest growth was in professional and business services, which recorded the addition of 6,100 positions.

Government jobs were up by 4,100 and educational and health services added 1,900.

The biggest declines were in trade, transportation and utilities with a loss of 2,600 jobs, with most of that coming from seasonal cutbacks of temporary employees following the holiday shopping season.