Unemployment falls below 5 percent in all Virginia metro areas

Unemployment in Virginia’s 11 metropolitan areas all clocked in under 5 percent in August, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

Northern Virginia, as usual, had the lowest unemployment rate in August, 3.5 percent, but two other areas, Winchester and Charlottesville also recorded rates of under 4 percent — 3.7 and 3.8 percent, respectively.

Lynchburg and Hampton Roads tied for the highest jobless rates, 4.8 percent.

NOVA had the lowest decrease in unemployment, three-tenths of a percentage point, while the New River Valley area (Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford) and Harrisonburg both had the biggest drop, six-tenths of a percentage point.

The VEC reported local employment figures that are not seasonally adjusted. That means that they are not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations in the labor market. State and national unemployment rates typically use seasonally adjusted data.

Here is a rundown of the Virginia metro areas:

Bristol: 4.7 percent in August, down from 5.2 percent in July.
Charlottesville: 3.8 percent, down from 4.3 percent.
Hampton Roads: 4.8 percent, down from 5.2 percent.
Harrisonburg: 4.4. percent, down from 5 percent.
Lynchburg: 4.8 percent, down from 5.3 percent.
New River Valley: 4.5 percent, down from 5.1 percent.
Northern Virginia: 3.5 percent, down from 3.8 percent.
Richmond: 4.7 percent, down from 5.1 percent.
Roanoke: 4.4 percent, down from 4.7 percent.
Staunton-Waynesboro: 4.1 percent, down from 4.5 percent.
Winchester: 3.7 percent, down from 4.1 percent.