For Release:
November 27, 2024
November 27, 2024
Virginia’s October County and Area Employment Figures Released
~ Over-the-Year Unemployment Rates Decreased in Most of Virginia’s Counties1 and Metropolitan Statistical Areas ~
RICHMOND — Virginia Works (the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement) announced today that, compared to a year earlier, October 2024 unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 78 of Virginia's 133 counties and cities, increased in 30, and remained unchanged in 25. In October, Highland County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 percent, while Emporia city had the highest at 7.4 percent. The employment estimates in this release are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.
Among the metro areas, Winchester had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5 percent, while Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford and Lynchburg had the highest at 3.4 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 2.9 percent, a 0.1 percentage point decrease from a year earlier and 1.0 point lower than the national rate. The October 2024 local unemployment rates are online accompanying this release. You can also access the local unemployment rates by visiting VirginiaWorks.com.
The statistical reference week for the household survey this month was the week of October 6-12, 2024.
The November 2024 statewide unemployment rate and employment data for both the state and metropolitan areas are scheduled to be released on Friday, December 20, 2024. The data will be available on our website www.VirginiaWorks.com. The Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement plans to release the November 2024 local area unemployment rates on Friday, January 03, 2025.
1 The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into 95 counties, along with 38 independent cities that are considered county-equivalents for census purposes.
