Alameda County Unemployment Rate Drops, Along with State

By Bay City News Service

Unemployment rates dropped in California this fall, with some areas in the Bay Area reportedly reaching record lows, according to state data released Friday.

California's unemployment rate dropped to 8.7 percent in September and October, down from 8.9 percent in August, according to the Employment Development Department.

The release of September's figures was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.

Alameda County was at 7 percent, down sharply from the 7.8 percent rate seen in July, and Contra Costa County at 6.9 percent.

The Bay Area continues to post some of the lowest unemployment figures in the state and San Francisco officials said the city's 5.3 percent unemployment rate, recorded for both September and October, marked a record low.

The city is now tied with Napa County for third lowest unemployment rates in the state, officials said.

"San Francisco residents are getting back to work across every major job sector -- from hospitality and tourism to construction to technology to manufacturing to our neighborhood small businesses," Mayor Ed Lee said today in a statement. "And we will continue to support all these sectors as they continue to grow in our City's economy."

Marin County, which typically has the lowest unemployment rates in the state, came in at 4.8 percent for October, while San Mateo County was second lowest at 5.1 percent.

Solano County, which has the highest unemployment rate in the Bay Area, was at 7.7 percent, still well below the state level. 

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent in October from 7.2 percent in September.

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