Virginia metro-area jobless rates decline in August

Unemployment rates in most of Virginia’s urban areas declined slightly in August.

Virginia Employment Commission figures reported on Wednesday showed that jobless rates dipped in six of Virginia’s 11 metropolitan statistical areas during the month.

In four metro areas, the unemployment rate remained unchanged from July. In one urban area, Richmond, the rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point.

The numbers cited in the VEC report are not seasonally adjusted, meaning they do not take into account seasonal changes in the workforce.

Using that type of data, Virginia’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in August, unchanged from July. The national jobless rate was 4.5 percent, down from 4.6 percent.

In Virginia’s metro areas, unemployment ranged from 3.2 percent in Northern Virginia to 4.6 percent in the Lynchburg area.

Here is a breakdown of metro-area results:

Bristol area: 4.1 percent in August, down from 4.4 percent in July.
Charlottesville: 3.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent.
Hampton Roads: 4.3 percent, unchanged.
Harrisonburg: 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent.
Lynchburg: 4.6 percent, unchanged.
New River Valley: 4.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent.
Northern Virginia: 3.2 percent, unchanged.
Richmond: 4 percent, up from 3.9 percent.
Roanoke: 4 percent, unchanged.
Staunton-Waynesboro: 3.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent.
Winchester: 3.3 percent, down from 3.4 percent.