100 Jobs Gained in La Mesa as Unemployment Rate Falls to 8.5 Percent

La Mesa had 2,800 unemployed residents in February—or 100 fewer than in January—as the city jobless rate dipped to 8.5 percent, according to state data released Friday.

The state puts La Mesa’s labor force at 33,700—in a population of 57,065, according to the latest census. So 30,800 La Mesans were employed in February, according to the state.

Santee had the same jobless rate as La Mesa, but  Spring Valley was at 11 percent, El Cajon 13 percent and Lemon Grove 12.6 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department. 

San Diego city and country rates were both at 10.1 percent in February, while Poway had a jobles rate of 6 percent. City statistics are not seasonally adjusted, said the state.

California's February seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 12.2 percent, down slightly from 12.4 percent in January, according to the department. Nationally, the unemployment rate for February was 8.9 percent.

In the county, agricultural employment gained 500 jobs over the month, said the state. Professional and business services reported the greatest month-over-month gain, adding 1,800 jobs. Other areas reporting gains were leisure and hospitality, educational and health services, and government.

Sectors that reported declines included trade, transportation, utilities, manufacturing and construction.