BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — For the first time in four months, the unemployment rate in Kern County dropped as 7,400 jobs were added to the local economy compared to the same point a year ago.

The county's unemployment rate for April was 8.4 percent, down from 10 percent in March. The unemployment rate had been rising steadily rising since bottoming out at 6.5 percent from September to November.

The largest gains in Kern County in April were in Educational & Health Services (2,000) and the oil industry (1,200).

All total, there were 5,800 non-farm jobs added.

Kern County's unemployment rate still lags behind the state average, however, ranking 52nd out of 58 counties. In California, the unemployment rate is 3.9 percent and the U.S. rate is 3.3 percent.