The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County dropped during the month of July and continues to be below the year-ago estimate, according to the latest numbers from the Employment Development Department.

The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County in July was at 8.5 percent, down from a revised rate of 8.9 percent in June 2021. It also was below the year-ago estimate of 12.9 percent. Local numbers show the unemployment rate coming in at 11.4 percent for Oakdale; 6.3 percent for Riverbank; 2/7 percent for East Oakdale.

Several sectors posted job gains for the month, with Manufacturing reporting the largest gain. The sector added an estimated 1,800 jobs for the month, with the majority of those coming in food production. Food manufacturing is up by 10.2 percent from the previous year, according to the EDD data.

The Educational and Health Services sector added approximately 500 positions for the month, according to the EDD. All of those jobs were within the health area.

The Government sector lost an estimated 900 jobs in July, but the majority of those are seasonal and refill as school districts increase staffing.

Leisure and Hospitality dropped an estimated 300 positions for the month, the EDD reported. Despite the drop for the month, the sector is above the year-ago rate by 19.3 percent.

The EDD released data regarding the online job vacancies and the companies looking to hire for the month of July. The top 10 positions with the most job ads for the month in Stanislaus County were: Registered nurses - 651, which was up by 12 from the month prior; retail salespersons - 367, which was up by 18 from June; sales representatives wholesale and manufacturing except scientific and technical products - 308, which rose by 27 from June; heavy and tractor-trailer drivers - 298, which was a decrease of four from the previous month; customer service representatives - 283, which was up by 36 from the month prior; first-line supervisors of retail sales workers - 269, which was an increase of eight from June; laborer and freight, stock and material movers - 266, which added nine for the month; managers - 220, which rose by 14 for the month; maintenance and repair workers - 211, which was a decrease of six from June; and combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food - 157, which was a decrease of seven from the month prior.

The top 10 companies posting the most online job vacancies in Stanislaus County in July were: Anthem Blue Cross - 395, down by 10; Tenet Health System - 185, up by 10; Modesto City Schools - 179, down by 17; Sutter Health - 174, up by nine; Hospitals of Providence – 137, up by 51; Save Mart Companies – 118, which was down by four from June; E&J Gallo Winery - 108, up by 15; Soliant – 90, which was down by three; Ceres Unified School District - 90, up by one;  and California State University, Stanislaus - 90, up by four.