Santa Clarita’s October unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent from 6.3 percent a year ago, while Los Angeles County’s rate improved to 9.7 percent from 8.5 percent in October 2012.

Much of the year-over-year job growth in Los Angeles County was attributed to the addition of new bars and restaurants. They accounted for 97 percent of the growth in the leisure and hospitality sector – whose 18,500 new jobs represented the sector’s biggest annual gain in 10 years.

Monthly growth: Compared to September 2013, the county’s rate improved by 0.1 percent in October as public and private school teachers returned to work. The accounted for half of the county’s non-farm employment gains over the month.

Other month-over-month gainers in Los Angeles County were the professional and business services sector  (up 8,000 jobs); retail trade added 5,500 positions but wholesale trade cut 1,900.

Manufacturing was the county’s big loser in October, slashing 1,800 workers from payrolls. Job losses in durable goods (down 1,200) were most evident in computer and electronic product manufacturing (down 400) and transportation equipment manufacturing (down 400). Apparel manufacturing, part of the non-durable goods subsector, shrank by 800 jobs.

Some separately reported communities and their October unemployment rates:

Lebec – 4.7 percent

Acton – 7 percent

Val Verde – 7.4 percent

Frazier Park – 9 percent

Pine Mountain Club – 11.1 percent

Palmdale – 11.8 percent

Lancaster – 13.4 percent

Lake Los Angeles – 14.2 percent