Unemployment rates were down slightly in February as the Central Valley prepared to enter the spring season.

Fresno County had an unemployment rate of 9.9% in February, down from 10.1% in January and up from 8.4% in February 2020.

Total industry employment reported no month over month change, though trade, transportation and utilities recorded the largest decline of 1,700, with 76% of those losses in retail trade. That was offset by a 900-job gain in professional and business services and 700 jobs in leisure & hospitality.

Year to date, total industry employment decreased by 24,600 jobs, led by nonfarm employment with a decline of 25,300 jobs.

Leisure & hospitality recorded the largest year-over decrease of 8,600 jobs, followed by government employment shedding 7,000 jobs.

Only one industry — trade, transportation & utilities — posted a year-over gain with 600 jobs.

Kings County saw an unemployment rate of 10.7% in February, down from 10.9% in January and above 9.8% last year.

Employment was mostly unchanged month-over-month, except for a 200-job dip in the leisure & hospitality industry. Year-over-year, Kings County’s nonfarm industries lost 3,600 jobs, led by a 1,200-job dip in leisure & hospitality.

Madera County saw an unemployment rate of 9.5% last month, down from 9.8% in January 2021 and above 7.9% a year ago.

While month-over-month employment was mostly unchanged, there were 2,700 nonfarm jobs lost year-over-year, with the bulk of losses in professional & business services with 600.

Tulare County’s unemployment rate for February was 11.4%, down from 11.5% in January and above 11.3% last year.

Nonfarm industries gained 1,800 jobs month-over-month, led by leisure & hospitality with an additional 1,200 jobs. Year-over-year, Tulare County lost 10,000 jobs, led by professional & business services and leisure & hospitality, which each shed 2,900 positions.

California’s unemployment rate hit 8.5% in February, down from 9% in January and up from 4.3% last year.