(PressDemocrat) - The unemployment rate in Sonoma County fell to 6.5 percent in April, reaching its lowest level in nearly five years, as hotels and wineries added staff for the summer season and employers filled positions that were eliminated during the recession.

The change from last April marked the largest year-over-year drop in the jobless rate since the economic downturn began in 2008. It was the 11th straight month that the total number of jobs in Sonoma County was higher than the prior year, according to data from the state Employment Development Department.

The jobless rate was down from a revised 7.3 percent in March, and was well below the year-ago estimate of 8.7 percent, the state reported Friday.

A decline in unemployment is typical this time of year, but it was a steeper drop than usual, said Linda Wong, North Bay labor market consultant for the EDD.