Unemployment numbers are out for March and Kern County's rate is nearly the same as February.
The unemployment rate in Kern County was 9.6 percent in March which is down from a revised 9.7 percent for February. That number is also below the estimate of 11.5 percent a year ago.
The statewide unemployment rate was 4.2 percent. Nationwide, that number was 4.1 percent.
5,500 jobs were lost between February to March. Since March 2017, nearly 4,000 jobs were added.
Kern County ranked 53rd out of 58 locations for unemployment.
San Mateo County had the lowest unemployment at only 2.2 percent. The highest unemployment was Colusa County with 18.9 percent.
