Virginia unemployment rises again

Published July 18, 2014 by Robert Powell, III

Virginia unemployment rose in June for the second consecutive month, reaching 5.3 percent.

The June jobless rate is two-tenths of a percentage point higher than May’s rate of 5.1 percent, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

June’s figure also is four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the 4.9 percent rate recorded in April.

The unemployment numbers are seasonally adjusted, meaning they take into account seasonal fluctuations in the labor market.

In June 2013, Virginia’s jobless rate was 5.7 percent. The national unemployment rate last month was 6.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from May.

Virginia’s seasonally adjusted, nonfarm employment in June rose by 4,100 jobs to a total of 3.77 million. Nonetheless, the employment level has not returned to its precession peak of 3.79 million reached in April 2008.

Employment rose in seven industry sectors in June while declining in four others. 

The biggest increase occurred in private education and health services, up 2,200 jobs to 512,400, the second consecutive gain after declining in March and April.

The biggest decline in employment occurred in trade and transportation, down 2,700 jobs to 638,400. That sector had seen four consecutive months of job growth before June.

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