THE JOBLESS rate in Orange County dropped from 3.1 percent in February 2018 to 2.8 percent in March 2018, according to the state Employment Development Department.

The unemployment rate for Orange County continued its plunge in March, according to state Employment Development Department. On Friday the EDD reported that joblessness in the county fell from 3.1 percent in February to 2.8 percent in March.

One year ago, the rate was put at 3.7 percent. . For California the March 2018 rate was 4.2 percent and 4.1 percent for the nation.

Total non-farm employment rose by 1,500 in Orange County, with most of the increases coming in education and health services with 2,600 jobs added. Leisure and hospitality added about 2,200 jobs for the month.

On the down side, construction employment fell by 1,800 jobs, while declines of 1,200 each were felt in the field of manufacturing and financial activities, reported the EDD.

Over the past year, employment rose by 25,400 jobs.