Virginia’s unemployment dipped in September

Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down 0.1 percentage point in September to 3.7 percent and down 0.4 percentage point from a year ago, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

In September, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate was lower than the national rate of 4.2 percent.
 
Virginia has the second lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate among major U.S. states, behind Tennessee.
 
Virginia’s labor force expanded for the 18th consecutive month to 4.3 million, setting a new record high, and household employment expanded for the 33rd consecutive month to 4.2 million, also a record high. The labor force increased by 19,756 in September, as household employment rose by 21,940 and the number of unemployed decreased by 2,184.
 
Virginia’s nonfarm payroll employment is 42,400 jobs higher when compared to September of 2016.

In September, the private sector recorded an over-the-year gain of 41,400 jobs, while the public sector recorded an over-the-year gain of 1,000 jobs.

Compared to a year ago, eight of the 11 major industry divisions showed employment gains, two saw job losses and mining employment remained the same. The largest over-the-year job growth came from private education and health services, up 17,600 jobs, and professional and business services, up 13,700 jobs. Job losses occurred in information, down 4,200 jobs, and trade and transportation, down 600 jobs.