Metro jobless rates show little change

Virginia’s metro areas showed very little change in unemployment during October.

The jobless rates in eight of the commonwealth’s 11 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) were unchanged from September.

In the remaining three MSAs, unemployment rose slightly, up one-tenth of a percentage point in each case, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

Arlington, a part of the Northern Virginia MSA, had an unemployment rate of 1.9 percent during October, the lowest figure among Virginia’s cities and counties. Petersburg had the highest rate, 5.4 percent.

Virginia’s jobless rate in October was 2.8 percent, up from 2.7 percent the month before. The U.S. rate in October was 3.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent.

The VEC figures were not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not account for seasonal fluctuations in the labor market.

Eight of the metro areas had unemployment rates of under 3 percent. The highest rate was 3.1 percent, reported in the Lynchburg area and Hampton Roads.

The lowest rate, 2.4 percent, was recorded in Northern Virginia and the Winchester area.

Little change in unemployment also was seen in Virginia’s smaller, “micropolitan” areas: Bluefield, Big Stone Gap, Danville and Martinsville.

Rates in Bluefield and Martinsville were unchanged. In Big Stone Gap and Danville, figures fell one-tenth of a percentage point.

Metropolitan areas:

Bristol: 3 percent in October, unchanged from September.
Charlottesville: 2.5 percent, up from 2.4 percent.
Hampton Roads: 3.1 percent, unchanged.
Harrisonburg: 2.7 percent, unchanged.
Lynchburg: 3.1 percent, unchanged.
New River Valley: 2.8 percent, unchanged.
Northern Virginia: 2.4 percent, up from 2.3 percent.
Richmond: 2.9 percent, unchanged.
Roanoke: 2.7 percent, unchanged.
Staunton-Waynesboro: 2.6 percent, up from 2.5 percent.
Winchester: 2.4 percent, unchanged.

Micropolitan areas:

Bluefield: 4.2 percent, unchanged.
Big Stone Gap: 4.6 percent, down from 4.7 percent.
Danville: 3.8 percent, down from 3.9 percent.
Martinsville: 3.8 percent, unchanged.