Unemployment Rates at 11.7 Percent In Spring Valley, 9.5 Percent in Casa de Oro-Mt. Helix

Spring Valley had 1,800 unemployed residents in February as the city jobless rate stood at to 11.7 percent, according to state data released Friday. The jobless rate is higher than the average in San Diego city and county.

There were 1,000 unemployed residents in Casa de Oro-Mt. Helix, out of a labor force of 11,000, for a rate of 9.5 percent.

The unemployment rates for Spring Valley (11.7) and CDO-MH (9.5) were higher than in Santee and La Mesa, which stand at 8.5, percent, but lower than El Cajon at 13 percent and Lemon Grove at 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.