Unemployment rates in the Central Valley ticked up slightly in June compared to the month prior, though there was still a favorable drop compared to last year.

According to the latest data from the California Employment Development Department, Fresno County unemployment was 7.1% in June, up from 6.4% in May but below 7.4% in June 2018.

Fresno County farms posted a seasonal month-over-month increase of 1,900, while manufacturing led nonfarm job gains with 900 positions.

Government and trade, transportation & utilities led the month-over losses, with 600 jobs each, followed by educational & health services with a 500-job drop and leisure & hospitality with 400 less positions.

On the year-over basis, farms shed 900 jobs while nonfarm industries added 11,300 positions, with educational & health services leading the surge with 4,500 positions, followed by trade, transportation & utilities with 2,700 jobs.

Kings County’s unemployment rate for June was 7.9%, up from 6.8% in May and below 8.1% percent a year ago.

Kings County farms lost 700 jobs between May and June, and nonfarm industries shed a net 100 positions. The only industry that added jobs in the month was manufacturing with a gain of 200.

On the annual basis, farms added 400 jobs while nonfarm industries gained 900 positions, with manufacturing leading the charge with a gain of 500.

Madera County saw an unemployment rate of 7% for June, up from 6.3% in May and below 7.1% a year ago.

Madera farms added 400 jobs in the month, while every other industry added 500 positions.

Annually, Madera farms shed 100 jobs, while nonfarm industries gained 800 positions, with educational & health services adding 400 jobs.

The June unemployment rate for Tulare County was 9.1%, up from 8.2% in May but below 9.5% a year ago.

Farms lost 900 jobs month over month, while nonfarm industries had a net gain of 200 jobs.

Farm employment in Tulare County was static on the year-over basis, with nonfarm industries adding 2,700 jobs. Government saw the biggest gain with 1,100 positions.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.2% last month, holding steady slightly above the record low unemployment of 4.1% set in July through December 2018.