Unemployment Drops in the East Bay and Hercules

The state Employment Development Department released figures today showing the jobless rate in the East Bay fell a half of a percentage point to 9.5 percent in November.

In Contra Costa County, unemployment dropped to 9.5 percent. It was 10 percent in October.

In Alameda County, the jobless rate tumbled to 9.6 percent in November from 10.1 percent the month before.

State officials said the two counties saw an increase of 4,400 jobs in November for a total work force of 957,600.

Six industries experienced an increase in employment.

Retail trade added 3,800 jobs last month, about the average increase for this time of year.

Leisure and hospitality added 1,100 jobs, professional and business services added 700 jobs and manufacturing added 300 jobs.

Construction continues to struggle, losing 800 jobs in November.

Concord's jobless rate fell from 10.8 percent in October to 10.2 percent in November.

Danville's rate fell from 5.3 percent to 5 percent. Alamo dropped from 3.7 percent to 3.5 percent.

San Ramon's jobless figure dipped from 4.1 percent to 3.9 percent.

Walnut Creek's rate decreased from 6.7 percent to 6.4 percent.

Other jobless figures from November included Lafayette at 3.4 percent, Moraga at 5.6 percent and Orinda at 3.6 percent.

Martinez recorded a 7.6 percent jobless rate, while Hercules had a 6.8 percent rate. Hercules had a 7.2 percent jobless rate in September.