Unemployment rates declined in Alameda County and many other Bay Area counties last month but held steady statewide, according to data released Friday.

Alameda County's jobless rate dropped from 8.5% in November to 8.2% in December. Contra Costa County also showed a decline, although slight, dropping from 8.3% in November to 8.2% last month.

Unemployment rates declined in other Bay Area counties, except for Solono County, as well.

California's unemployment rate remained unchanged from November at 9.8 percent, and was distinctly down from the 11.2 percent rate seen a year
ago in December, according to the California Employment Development
Department

Unemployment rates declined in several Bay Area counties, which have consistently had the lowest unemployment rates in the state in recent
years.

Marin County, which had the lowest unemployment rate in December in the state at 5.5 percent, had dropped from 5.8 percent in November.

San Mateo County, which had the second lowest unemployment rate in the state in December at 6.0 percent, declined from 6.3 percent in November.


In San Francisco, the unemployment rate declined from 6.7 percent in November to 6.5 percent in December, the third lowest unemployment rate in
the state.

That is the lowest rate the city has seen since 2008, and sharply down from the 9.6 percent rate seen in January 2011, according to a statement
from Mayor Ed Lee.

"It's a new year and we are experiencing a consistent improvement in our economy, yet we will not rest for the 30,900 San Franciscans who are
still unemployed," Lee said.

"I will continue to work with every business
sector in the city to make sure we continue to support policies that grow jobs and put San Franciscans back to work," he added.

Solano County, which has consistently had the highest unemployment rates in the Bay Area in recent year, remained unchanged at 9.3 percent,
where it has hovered since September

Bay City News contributed to this report.

— Bay City News Service

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