Unemployment rates in the Bay Area increased slightly from December to January despite jobless numbers decreasing elsewhere in California and nationwide, according to data released today by the state’s Employment Development Department.
While the state’s unemployment rate fell from 8.3 percent to 8.1 percent and the national rate dropped from 6.7 to 6.6, each county in the Bay Area saw an increase in its unemployment rate.
The lowest unemployment rate in the region remained in Marin County, which was at 4.7 percent in January, up from 4.2 percent in December.
San Francisco had an unemployment rate of 5.3 percent in January and San Mateo counties had a rate of 4.9 percent.
Marin, San Mateo and San Francisco counties are the three counties with the lowest unemployment rates in the state.
The largest jump in unemployment between December and January was recorded in Solano County, which went from 7.3 percent to 8.1 percent, according to the state report.
Solano County has the highest unemployment rate in the Bay Area.
Scott Morris, Bay City News
