The year started off with a rise in the unemployment rate for Fresno County, jumping to 8.9 percent in January, up from a revised 7.4 percent in December 2018 and above the year-ago estimate of 8.7 percent.

That’s according to the latest data from the state Employment Development Department.

Between December 2018 and January 2019, total industry employment in Fresno County decreased by 5,700 jobs, a decrease of 1.4 percent, leaving a total of 394,000 jobs.

Nonfarm employment had a 1.6 percent decrease, dropping 5,900 jobs, while farm employment grew with 200 jobs, a 0.5 percent increase.

Construction and educational and health service industries edged down by 500 jobs each.

Trade, transportation, and utility industries, experienced the largest month-over decline with a loss of 2,300 jobs after the holiday season, and retail trade accounted for 83 percent of the job loss in this sector, with a decrease of 1,900 jobs.

Between January 2018 and January 2019, total industry employment increased by 13,200 jobs, an increase of 3.5 percent. Nonfarm employment rose by 11,500 jobs, up by 3.3 percent, and farm employment grew by 1,700 jobs, an increase of 4.6 percent.

Educational and health services saw the largest year-over increase with the addition of 3,300 jobs. Health care and social assistance increased by 2,800 jobs and educational services added 500 jobs.

Total farm jobs in Fresno County for January 2018 was 36,000, and at 38,300 in January of 2019.

The total for nonfarm jobs in January 2018 capped at 344,200, and increased by 11,500, totaling 355,700 in January 2019.

MADERA

As was the case in Fresno County, Madera County also saw a rise in its unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate in Madera County was at 8.6 percent in January 2019, up from 7.0 percent in December 2018, and up from the 8.3 percent unemployment rate for January 2018.

The job total for all industries in January 2019 was 50,600, an increase of 900 from 49,700 since January 2018.

Farm jobs totaled at 12,100 in January 2019, a decrease of 100 jobs from January 2018 when the job total was at 12,200.

Nonfarm jobs rose from 37,500 in January 2018, to 38,500 in January 2019.

KINGS 

Following the trend of surrounding counties, Kings County also saw an increase in its unemployment rate in January 2019.

The unemployment rate for Kings County rose to 9.8 percent in January of this year, up from 8.0 percent in December 2018, and also up from 9.3 percent in January 2018.

Jobs in all industries totaled at 46,900 in January 2019, down from 48,000 in December 2018. The job total for January 2018 was 46,800.

Total farm jobs in Kings County went from 7,200 in January 2018, and dropping to 7,100 in January 2019.

Nonfarm jobs totaled 39,800 in January 2019, and up from January 2018’s job total of 39,600.

TULARE

Tulare County saw a rise in its unemployment rate as well, jumping to 11.3 percent in January 2019, up from December 2018’s unemployment rate of 9.4 percent.

Total jobs in January 2019 capped at 163,400, an increase from January 2018’s total of 157,200—a change of 6,200.

Farm jobs totaled 37,200 in January 2019, an increase of 4,600 jobs since January 2018, with the farm jobs totaling 32,600.

Nonfarm jobs saw an increase of 1,600 jobs, going from 124,600 in January 2018, to 126,200 in January 2019.