Solano County Shows Highest Unemployment Rate in the Region

By Bay City News Service

California's unemployment rate dropped slightly in September, but remains above the national rate, according to data released Friday by the state's Employment Development Department.

The state unemployment rate dropped from 12.1 percent in August to 11.9 percent in September, state officials said. The national rate has remained unchanged since July at 9.1 percent.

Bay Area counties were all below the state average, but only a handful -- Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco and Napa counties -- were below the national average.

Solano County had the highest unemployment rate in the region in September at 11 percent, followed by Alameda County at 10.2 percent and Contra Costa County at 10.1 percent.

Marin County was the lowest, at 7.4 percent. San Mateo County was second lowest at 8 percent, and San Francisco third lowest at 8.3 percent. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee released a statement about the city's rate, which dropped 0.5 percent during the month.

"Today's unemployment report shows that the city's tireless efforts to support job creation and drive economic growth such as in the technology, innovation and small business sectors are working," Lee said.