Unemployment rate in S.F. falls to 3.2 percent

Unemployment in San Francisco fell to 3.2 percent in September, according to preliminary unemployment numbers released Friday by the California Employment Development Department.

That’s down from 3.6 percent in August and the third lowest in the state, behind only San Mateo County at 3 percent and Marin County at 3.1 percent. The state unemployment rate is 5.5 percent and the national unemployment rate is 5.1 percent.

A detailed analysis of the region’s jobs market by the Employment Development Department lumps together San Francisco and San Mateo counties and shows that between August and September, the “private educational and health services” sector grew the most, gaining 2,500 jobs.

That was followed by the government, which added 2,400 jobs, most of them in public schools. Other services grew by 900 jobs. Leisure and hospitality lost 3,000 jobs.

A yearlong analysis of the jobs picture showed that San Francisco and San Mateo counties have added 47,900 jobs since September 2014. Computer systems design and related services account for roughly a quarter of those new jobs.

“Today’s great news on employment is the result of our relentless focus these last five years on putting people back to work and bringing hope and opportunity back to our city,” San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement.

The mayor, up for re-election next month with no strong opposition, noted that when he took office in 2011 unemployment hovered near 10 percent.

“A strong economic foundation — and good jobs for all our residents — will always be key to addressing our challenges and ensuring that our city’s rising prosperity benefits every single San Franciscan,” he said.