Unemployment Rate Drops Below 8 Percent In The East Bay

The unemployment rate in the East Bay fell from 8.1 percent to 7.8 percent in March as the local economy added 3,600 jobs, according to the state Economic Development Department.

In Alameda County, the jobless rate is now listed at 7.7 percent, down from 8 percent in February.

In Contra Costa County, unemployment dropped to 7.8 percent, down from 8.1 percent in February.

Cities throughout the region saw their jobless rates decline by several tenths of a percentage point.

In San Leandro, the rate dropped to 7.6 percent while the rate fell to 4.5 percent in Castro Valley and to 9 percent in Ashland and 11.3 percent in Cherryland.

In the Tri-Cities area, the unemployment figure is now at 5.5 percent in Fremont and 7.2 percent in both Union City and Newark.

Oakland still has the highest jobless rate in Alameda County at 11.8 percent.

State officials reported the total employment in the East Bay rose from 984,700 in February to 988,300 in March.

The biggest gains were seen in professional and business services with 1,400 extra jobs, construction with 1,200 additional jobs, government with 1,100 more jobs and leisure and hospitality with 800 extra jobs.

The biggest decline was seen in trade, transportation and utilities with 900 fewer jobs.