West Virginia Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.2 percentage points in November 2020 to 6.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 15.9% and is now 9.7 percentage points lower. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | November 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.7% | -0.2 | +3.1 |
| West Virginia | 6.2% | -0.2 | +1.1 |
Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December 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 April 2020 at 123,839. There are now 76,281 fewer people unemployed in the state. West Virginia job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | November 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 47,558 | -1,598 | +6,764 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
West Virginia Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2020 | 6.7% | — | — |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 6.2% | 47,558 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 6.4% | 49,156 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 8.6% | 66,881 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 8.9% | 69,236 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 10.0% | 76,471 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 10.5% | 80,042 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 12.9% | 100,757 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 15.9% | 123,839 |
| March 2020 | 4.4% | 6.0% | 49,712 |
| February 2020 | 3.5% | 4.9% | 39,743 |
| January 2020 | 3.5% | 5.0% | 40,537 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
