Virginia unemployment falls to 4.3 percent

Virginia’s unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent in September, the lowest level in seven years.

The rate in September fell two-tenths of a percentage point from August, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.  The September rate also is seven-tenths of a point lower than September 2014.

The unemployment has not been as low as 4.3 percent in Virginia since September 2008.

Virginia’s jobless rate now has fallen for three consecutive months.

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

Virginia’s nonfarm employment declined by 200 jobs in September to a total of 3,814,200. Total employment has fallen for three consecutive months. A gain of 900 jobs initially reported for August has been revised to a loss of 2,000 jobs.

Employment increased in six major industry divisions during September while falling in three others and remaining unchanged in two.

The biggest increase occurred in the leisure and hospitality industry, which gained 3,600 jobs to 377,600. The largest decrease took place in professional and business services, which fell 4,200 jobs to 683,500.

Employment remained unchanged in trade and transportation and mining, at 645,900 and 8,300 jobs, respectively.