Marin Keeps Lowest Unemployment Rate in State in October

Marin County’s employment rate remained steady—and low—while the state continues to slowly bounce back from a down economy, according to the state’s Economic Development Department.

The jobless rate throughout California dropped slightly in October, while Bay Area counties maintained similar rates from September, according to the state employment report released today.

Marin maintained the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.8 percent in October, the same as the previous month. Fairfax (9.8 percent) had the highest unemployment rate among the county’s municipalities, followed by San Anselmo (7.2 percent), San Rafael and Novato (both 6.9 percent). Corte Madera (4.1 percent), Larkspur (4.2 percent), Mill Valley and Sausalito (both 4.3 percent) fared the best.

The state unemployment rate dropped from 10.2 percent in September to 10.1 percent last month. In October 2011, the jobless rate was 11.5 percent.

The highest unemployment numbers in the region come from Solano County, where a 9.3 percent rate continued in October. San Francisco's rate remained at 6.8 percent.

The national unemployment rate jumped slightly to 7.9 percent in October compared to 7.8 percent the previous month, according to officials.

The state's unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 households throughout California.

--Bay City News Service contributed to this report.