Business & Tech

East Bay Unemployment Drops; So Do Number of Jobs

The East Bay's jobless rate for April fell to 9.0 percent while the region lost 2,100 jobs from the month before

The unemployment rate in the East Bay fell significantly in April, but the region also lost more than 2,000 jobs.

The state Employment Development Department reported the East Bay's jobless rate dropped to 9.0 percent last month. That compares to 9.8 percent in March.

In Alameda County, the figure was 8.9 percent, down from 9.7 percent. In Contra Costa County, it was 9.1 percent, compared to 9.9 percent.

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However, the East Bay also shed 2,100 jobs in April, leaving it with a total of 959,900 people employed. In March, it gained 6,200 jobs.

The biggest decline was seen in private education and health services, which lost 1,000 jobs last month.

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In addition, financial activities dropped by 800 jobs while leisure and hospitality services lost 600 jobs.

The only significant gains were seen in trade, transportation and utilities, which increased by 800 jobs.

The discrepancy in the figures is due to two factors.

One is people who give up looking for work aren't included in the unemployment numbers.

The other is the unemployment rate reflects people who live in the area while the jobs figures reflect employment at the businesses in the region.

Most cities in Alameda County saw their unemployment rates drop approximately half a percentage point.

Castro Valley's rate was 5.3 percent while San Lorenzo tallied 6.6 percent and San Leandro 8.8 percent. The unincorporated areas of Ashland and Cherryland had rates of 10.3 percent and 13 percent.

Union City had a jobless rate of 8.4 percent while nearby Newark recorded an 8.3 percent rate.

The city of Alameda recorded a rate of 6.1 percent while Albany is at 3.8 percent.

In the Tri-Valley, Dublin has a 5.4 percent rate, Pleasanton is at 4.5 percent and Livermore is at 5.8 percent.


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