Unemployment Rate Dips Ever So Slightly

The unemployment rate in most of Alameda County dipped slightly in February as jobs slowly returned to the East Bay.

Livermore's jobless rate took an incremental dive to 7 percent last month. That was down from the 7.1 percent recorded in December, the last month local figures were released.

Overall, California's unemployment rate edged down to 12.2 percent from the previous reading of 12.4 percent. Alameda County's rate was 10.7 percent, slightly lower than the previous mark of 10.8 percent.

The state Economic Development Department reported Alameda and Contra Costa County gained 5,700 jobs last month, bringing the total employed in both counties to  941,700.

Government payrolls grew by 2,000 while schools added 1,700 employees. The professional and business sector increased by 1,800 jobs.

However, the retail sector lost 1,300 jobs due to seasonal layoffs. In addition, trade, transportation and utility industries declined by 1,100.

Here's a look at some other Alameda County cities:

The city of Alameda's jobless rate now stands at 7.3 percent, down from the previous 7.5 percent.

Castro Valley's jobless rate dropped to 6.3 percent from 6.4 percent.

The Cherryland area still has the second highest rate in the county at 15.4 percent, down slightly from 15.6 percent. Oakland remains the highest at 16.0 percent.

Dublin recorded a 6.5 percent jobless rate, down a bit from 6.6 percent.

Pleasanton's rate is now 5.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent.

San Leandro stands at 10.5 percent, a slight decrease from 10.7 percent.

San Lorenzo has a 7.9 percent jobless rate, down from 8.1 percent.

Newark's jobless rate decreased to 9.9 percent, down from the 10.1 percent.

Union City's rate is 10.0 percent, slightly better than the previous 10.2 percent.