Coastside Unemployment Rates Drop Sharply

The unemployment plummeted in the West Bay last month, led by a surge in service-related, construction and entertainment-based jobs.

The jobless rate in the West Bay—that's San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties—decreased from 5.8 percent in March to 5.1 percent in April. A year ago, the rate was 7.8 percent, according to the state Economic Development Department.

The unemployment rate for San Mateo County also fell from 5.7 percent in March to 5.1 in April. 

Cities across the Peninsula experienced similar dips in their unemployment rate.

In Half Moon Bay, the jobless rate fell to 5.2 percent. It was 5.8 percent in March.

Nearby, unemployment was 5.8 percent in Pacifica.

On the bay, the unemployment rate decreased to 2.8 percent in Atherton, 4 percent in San Mateo, 4.1 percent in Menlo Park, 3.7 percent in Foster City, 3.4 percent in San Carlos, 4.3 percent in Belmont and 5.1 percent in Redwood City. 

Overall, the West Bay added 4,100 jobs in April for a total labor force of 1,018,500.   That jobs figure is 28,000 higher than April 2012.

"Other services" had the biggest gains in hiring, expanding by 1,900 positions. Those jobs include personal and laundry services, membership organizations and associations, and auto repair. Leisure and hospitality gained 1,500 jobs, mostly in food services and bars, while construction climbed by 1,100 jobs. That's much better than its usual decline of 100 jobs at this time of year. 

During the same time, the manufacturing industry lost 400 jobs. The financial activities sector and transportation, trade and utilities industry lost about 300 positions each.