West Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2018 to 5.1%. 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 3.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 5.0% in March 2017, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.2	-0.2
West Virginia	5.1%	-0.1	-0.3

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January 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 31,678 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 38,469 in May 2017, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,635. West Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
West Virginia	40,104	-150	-2,147

Number of Unemployed Persons

West Virginia Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployment Rate	West Virginia Unemployed
January 2019	4.0%	—	—
December 2018	3.9%	5.1%	40,104
November 2018	3.7%	5.2%	40,254
October 2018	3.8%	5.2%	40,511
September 2018	3.7%	5.2%	40,700
August 2018	3.8%	5.3%	41,265
July 2018	3.9%	5.4%	42,142
June 2018	4.0%	5.3%	41,983
May 2018	3.8%	5.4%	42,273
April 2018	3.9%	5.4%	42,224
March 2018	4.0%	5.4%	42,193
February 2018	4.1%	5.4%	42,210