Metro area jobless rates mixed in September

Published November 3, 2016 by Robert Powell, III

Unemployment rates in Virginia’s metropolitan areas were mixed in September.

Four of the 11 metro areas saw their jobless rates decline during the month, according to figures from the Virginia Employment Commission.

In another four metro areas, unemployment rates were unchanged from August. In three regions, rates rose slightly.

The VEC numbers are not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not account for seasonal fluctuations in the workforce.

Using seasonally unadjusted numbers, national unemployment for September was 4.8 percent while Virginia’s rate was 4 percent.

The New River Valley region (Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford) had the biggest drop in unemployment, falling 1.5 percentage points to 4.5 percent in September.

The Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Lynchburg areas all saw their jobless rates decline two-tenths of a percentage point during the month.

In the Bristol, Hampton Roads, Richmond and Roanoke areas, unemployment rates were unchanged in September.

The Northern Virginia,  Staunton-Waynesboro and Winchester regions all saw rate rise by one-tenth of a percentage point.

Here’s a breakdown on the regional jobless rates:

Bristol: 4.7 percent in September, unchanged from August.
Charlottesville: 3.4 percent, down from 3.6 percent.
Hampton Roads: 4.6 percent, unchanged.
Harrisonburg: 4 percent, down from 4.2 percent.
Lynchburg: 4.5 percent, down from 4.7 percent.
New River Valley: 4.5 percent, down from 6 percent.
Northern Virginia: 3.4 percent, up from 3.3 percent.
Richmond: 4.1 percent, unchanged.
Roanoke: 4 percent, unchanged.
Winchester: 3.6 percent, up from 3.5 percent.
Staunton-Waynesboro: 3.9 percent, up from 3.8 percent.