Stanislaus County makes steps toward improving unemployment rate The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County is continuing to rebound with more businesses re-opening and expanding operations. The Employment Development Department reported the county had an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent in March, down from a revised rate of 9.1 percent in February. The rate moved closer to the year-ago estimate of 7.6 percent and is comparable to the state rate of 8.2 percent. The national unemployment rate was at 6.2 percent for the same time period. The decrease in unemployment in Stanislaus was largely spurred by growth in the government, manufacturing and farming sectors, according to the EDD.