Community Corner

Unemployment Decreases In East Bay

East Bay rate drops 0.2 percent to 8.2 in December. Concord has highest rate in area: 8.9 percent. Did you lose or land a job recently? Share your story.

The jobless rate in the East Bay continues to slowly decline.

The Employment Development Department reported Friday that the unemployment rate in the East Bay dropped to 8.2.

That was down from 8.4 percent in November and the 9.3 percent recorded in December 2011.

Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some local unemployment rates for December:

  • Clayton — 2.0 percent.
  • Concord — 8.9 percent.
  • Lafayette — 2.9 percent.
  • Martinez — 6.5 percent.
  • Pleasant Hill — 6.6 percent.
  • Walnut Creek — 5.5 percent.

Both Contra Costa and Alameda counties had jobless rates of 8.2 percent last month, down slightly from November.

Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Overall, the East Bay added 100 jobs to its workforce last month.

There are now 21,500 more jobs in the East Bay than there were a year ago. The total workforce is 979,300.

The big question: Is it easier to find a job than it was a year ago?

Why or why not? Where are the jobs for those who are looking?


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