West Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia rose 0.1 percentage points in September 2019 to 4.7%. The state unemployment rate was 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in October 2010 at 8.8% and is now 4.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.6% in August 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	September 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	-0.2	-0.2
West Virginia	4.7%	+0.1	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with September data as October 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 November 2010 at 71,782. There are now 34,650 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 36,836 in August 2019, the number of unemployed has now grown by 296. West Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	September 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
West Virginia	37,132	+296	-3,019

Number of Unemployed Persons

West Virginia Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployed
October 2019	3.6%	—	—
September 2019	3.5%	4.7%	37,132
August 2019	3.7%	4.6%	36,836
July 2019	3.7%	4.7%	36,997
June 2019	3.7%	4.7%	37,324
May 2019	3.6%	4.8%	37,844
April 2019	3.6%	4.9%	38,613
March 2019	3.8%	5.1%	39,991
February 2019	3.8%	5.2%	40,611
January 2019	4.0%	5.2%	40,653
December 2018	3.9%	5.1%	40,396
November 2018	3.7%	5.1%	40,345