Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Virginia fell 0.0 percentage points in December 2011 to 6.2%. The state unemployment rate was 2.3 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Virginia peaked in December 2009 at 7.2% and is now 1.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 6.0% in May 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Virginia	6.2%	0.0	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Virginia, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Virginia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Virginia peaked in January 2010 at 302,219. There are now 39,732 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 251,888 in May 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 10,599. Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Virginia	262,487	-1,726	-13,567

Number of Unemployed Persons

Virginia Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Virginia Unemployment Rate	Virginia Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	6.2%	262,487
November 2011	8.7%	6.2%	264,213
October 2011	8.9%	6.4%	272,848
September 2011	9.0%	6.5%	272,774
August 2011	9.1%	6.3%	265,127
July 2011	9.1%	6.1%	256,179
June 2011	9.1%	6.0%	253,237
May 2011	9.0%	6.0%	251,888
April 2011	9.0%	6.1%	255,171
March 2011	8.9%	6.2%	261,909
February 2011	9.0%	6.4%	266,933
January 2011	9.1%	6.5%	273,083