Santa Clarita saw another dip in unemployment last month, along with lower numbers in Los Angeles County and the state overall.

At the end of April, the city had an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent – or 6,000 people out of a workforce of 82,300 – according to information released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. That’s down from 7.3 percent in March.

Los Angeles County, meanwhile saw its April unemployment at 11.6 percent, down from 11.8 percent in March and 12.2 percent in April 2011. California unemployment dropped to 10.9 percent in last month, down from 11 percent in March.

The U.S. unemployment rate decreased in April to 8.1 percent, according to the EDD, down from 8.2 percent in March an 9 percent in April 2011.

“We are really excited about (the decrease),” said Jason Crawford, Santa Clarita’s economic development manager. “It’s a sign of good things to come. … Things just get better and better here in Santa Clarita.”

Among bright spots on the horizon for the valley’s job sector, Crawford said, are the Disney | ABC Studios at the Ranch project planned east of Highway 14, and the planned expansion of Aerospace Dynamics International.

The biggest spike in Los Angeles County jobs last month came in the leisure and hospitality sectors, with the addition of 1,500 jobs last month.

Job growth was reportedly concentrated in arts, entertainment and recreation, specifically in performing arts and spectator sports. Accommodation and food services were responsible for the remaining balance. Other industries to post gains in the past month were trade, transportation and utilities.

Conversely, the greatest decline was in manufacturing, with a loss of 3,200 jobs over the month.

The construction industry also losses in the past month, with a dip of 2,500 jobs. The bulk of the job reduction was concentrated in nonresidential building construction.