Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County dropped to 10.5 percent in October, down from 10.6 percent in September, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday.

The 10.5 percent unemployment rate was below the 12.2 percent rate in October 2011, according to the EDD.

California's jobless rate was 10.1 percent in October, down from 10.2 percent in September and down from October  2011, when the rate was 11.5 percent, according to the EDD.

The comparable estimates for the nation were 7.9 percent in October, 7.8 percent in September and 8.9 percent a year ago.

Numbers for individual cities were not yet available.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 41,200 jobs in Los Angeles County between September and October to reach 3.88 million. The government sector saw the largest gain, adding 11,900 jobs.

A total of 502,000 people were unemployed in October in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of about 4.8 million.

Statewide, about 1.85 million people were out of work, down slightly from 1.88 million the previous month.