Local unemployment rates hold steady despite progress statewide

Jobless rates for the tri-city area largely held steady in May, despite a significant drop statewide, according to figures released Friday.

The unemployment rates in Glendale, San Marino and South Pasadena each edged down 0.1%, coming in at 8%, 4.1% and 4.5%, respectively, according to data released by the California Employment Development Department.

Statewide, the jobless rate dropped to 8.6%, down from 9% in April — a significant improvement from the 10.7% unemployment rate logged in May 2012.

The leisure and hospitality arena experienced the biggest employment gains, while the motion picture/sound recording, manufacturing and construction industries each reported declines.

The state’s labor force also grew by nearly 19,000 people, a signal that the market was absorbing new job seekers, the L.A. Times reported.

Jobless rates in other communities in the greater tri-city area remained unchanged, with Burbank at 7.5%, Pasadena at 7%, La Cañada Flintridge at 3.5% and the La Crescenta-Montrose area at 4.5%.

The L.A. Times contributed to this report.

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Follow Mark Kellam on Twitter: @LAMarkKellam.

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