The month of April recorded a quadruple crown in terms of unemployment rates, as they dropped at the national, state and county levels, according to preliminary data provided by the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD).

Per the EDD, the national unemployment rate dropped from 3.9% in March to 3.5% in April. California’s rate dropped from 5.4% to 4.8% during that time.

Locally, Stanislaus County’s rate dropped from 7.5% to 7%, equating to roughly 17,400 people without work. 

By the end of April, the city of Ceres had approximately 7.9 percent with no jobs, or 1,700 out of a labor force of about 21,800 residents.

The unemployment rate of Hughson was higher, at 10 percent with 300 out of a labor force of 3,400.

Keyes had a jobless rate of 4.7 percent, or 100 out of a job force of 2,100.

The county’s highest unemployment rate continues to be the Bret Harte and Bystrum areas of south Modesto, at 13.1 percent and 13.3 percent respectively.

Turlock’s jobless rate of 5.3 percent figures out to about 1,800 people considered unemployed.

The lowest unemployment rate was in east Oakdale where 4.6 percent was recorded.

As the weather warmed, the agriculture industry grew immensely in Stanislaus County, with the addition of 800 farming jobs. 

Healthcare and social assistance jobs were also on the rise in Stanislaus County, with 300 positions filled. 200 positions were also filled in the retail industry and in local government.

Despite retailers and healthcare employers hiring at a high rate, each remains in high demand of workers.

In Stanislaus County, there are currently 1,254 online postings for health care and social assistance jobs — the most in-demand sector in each county. Meanwhile, there are 823 retail openings in Stanislaus County.

Manufacturing companies are also looking for workers in each county, with there being 542 listings in Stanislaus County.

- Jeff Benziger contributed to this report.