Department of Numbers

Richmond, Virginia Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Richmond rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 3.1%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points higher than the Virginia rate. The unemployment rate in Richmond peaked in April 2020 at 11.8% and is now 8.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.8% in July 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also compare Richmond unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.9% +0.1 +0.2
Virginia 2.7% +0.2 -0.4
Richmond 3.1% +0.1 -0.1
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with October 2023 data as November metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Richmond, Virginia, National

Richmond, Virginia monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Richmond, Virginia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Richmond peaked in April 2020 at 79,516. There are now 57,005 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 20,573 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,938. Richmond employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Richmond, Virginia) is also available.

Unemployed Persons October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Richmond 22,511 +768 -379

Number of Unemployed Persons

Richmond, Virginia Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Virginia
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
Unemployed
November
2023
3.7%
October
2023
3.9% 2.7% 3.1% 22,511
September
2023
3.8% 2.5% 3.0% 21,743
August
2023
3.8% 2.5% 2.9% 20,977
July
2023
3.5% 2.5% 2.8% 20,573
June
2023
3.6% 2.7% 2.9% 20,872
May
2023
3.7% 2.9% 2.9% 21,147
April
2023
3.4% 3.1% 3.0% 21,471
March
2023
3.5% 3.2% 3.1% 21,805
February
2023
3.6% 3.2% 3.1% 22,187
January
2023
3.4% 3.2% 3.2% 22,644
December
2022
3.5% 3.1% 3.2% 22,719

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.