West Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.0 percentage points in December 2011 to 7.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in December 2010 at 9.7% and is now 1.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 7.9% in November 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
West Virginia	7.9%	0.0	-1.8

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

Unemployment Rate: West Virginia, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

West Virginia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in West Virginia peaked in December 2010 at 75,628. There are now 13,960 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 61,444 in November 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 224. West Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
West Virginia	61,668	+224	-13,960

Number of Unemployed Persons

West Virginia Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	7.9%	61,668
November 2011	8.7%	7.9%	61,444
October 2011	8.9%	8.2%	63,558
September 2011	9.0%	8.2%	63,846
August 2011	9.1%	8.1%	62,481
July 2011	9.1%	8.1%	62,979
June 2011	9.1%	8.5%	66,035
May 2011	9.0%	8.6%	67,394
April 2011	9.0%	8.8%	68,728
March 2011	8.9%	9.1%	71,537
February 2011	9.0%	9.4%	73,463
January 2011	9.1%	9.6%	75,177