Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly

The unemployment rate dipped slightly in the East Bay last month, marking the second straight month of small gains in the job market.

For California, the unemployment rate now stands at 11.7 percent. That's the second highest in the nation behind Nevada. The May figure is down from an adjusted rate of 11.8 percent in April and 12.3 percent in March.

In the Oakland metropolitan area, the jobless figure dipped to 10.2 percent in May, down from a revised figure of 10.4 in April.

in Contra Costa County, the unemployment rate ticked downward to 10.3 percent last month, a slight improvement from the 10.5 percent recorded in April and 11.2 percent in March.

In neighboring Alameda County, the jobless rate inched down to 10.2 percent in May, slightly better than the 10.3 percent in April and 10.8 percent in March.

Officials at the California Department of Employment Development said there were 2,500 jobs created in the East Bay last month, bringing the total work force to 947,300. There were 5,500 new jobs created in April.

The leisure and hospitality sector fared the best with 1,700 new jobs. Private education and health services saw 1,400 new jobs. The government sector as well as trade, transportation and utilities each created 500 jobs.

The construction industry continues to struggle, losing 700 jobs in May.

In Walnut Creek, the unemployment rate dipped to 7 percent, down one-tenth of a point from the 7.1 percent recorded in April. It's more than a half-point lower than the 7.6 percent in March.

Clayton continues to have the lowest rate in Contra Costa County at 2.5 percent. That's down from 2.6 percent in April and 2.8 percent in March.

In Alamo, the jobless rate stands at 3.8 percent, down from 3.9 percent in April and 4.2 percent in March.

Danville's unemployment rate is now 5.4 percent, slightly better than the 5.5 percent in April and more than a half-point better than the 6 percent recorded in March.

The jobless rate in San Ramon was 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent in April and 4.7 percent in March.