Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Virginia rose 0.2 percentage points in October 2023 to 2.7%. The state unemployment rate was 1.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 12.0% and is now 9.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.5% in May 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
Virginia	2.7%	+0.2	-0.4

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

Unemployment Rate: Virginia, National

Virginia monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Virginia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 517,063. There are now 394,360 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 111,485 in June 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 11,218. Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Virginia	122,703	+6,223	-17,053

Number of Unemployed Persons