West Virginia Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.3 percentage points in February 2021 to 6.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 15.6% and is now 9.4 percentage points lower. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.2% | -0.1 | +2.7 |
| West Virginia | 6.2% | -0.3 | +1.1 |
Note: All comparisons are made with February data as March 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 119,473. There are now 69,795 fewer people unemployed in the state. West Virginia job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | February 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 49,678 | -1,926 | +8,248 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
West Virginia Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2021 | 6.0% | — | — |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 6.2% | 49,678 |
| January 2021 | 6.3% | 6.5% | 51,604 |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 53,698 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 7.0% | 56,037 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 58,787 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 62,323 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 8.5% | 67,379 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 9.4% | 74,254 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 10.5% | 82,775 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 11.9% | 92,761 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 15.6% | 119,473 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
